Reptiles
Magellanic Lizard
Liolaemus magellanicus
Giving birth to live young rather than risking eggs in the cold, a Magellanic lizard ranges further south than any other lizard species on Earth, basking whenever sunlight allows across the open terrain of Tierra del Fuego.
Overview
The Magellanic lizard, Liolaemus magellanicus, is a Least Concern reptile native to grassland and mountain habitat across southern Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego. Its status as the southernmost-ranging lizard species on Earth, its live-bearing reproduction, and its reliance on active basking to survive cold conditions make it one of the more physiologically remarkable reptiles found anywhere in the world.
A lizard at the very edge of reptile range
Few reptiles push as far toward the cold, windswept extremes of the planet as the Magellanic lizard, whose live-bearing reproduction and careful basking routine allow it to survive in terrain far colder than most lizard species could ever tolerate.
Status
Least Concern, remaining widespread and generally stable across suitable open habitat throughout southern Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego.
Magellanic Lizard: common questions
Why is the Magellanic lizard considered a record holder?
This species ranges further south than any other lizard species on Earth, reaching into the cold terrain of Tierra del Fuego at the very southern tip of South America.
Why does the Magellanic lizard give birth to live young?
This species gives birth to live young rather than laying eggs, an adaptation common among reptiles living in cold climates where egg incubation outside the body would be unreliable.
How does the Magellanic lizard stay warm?
This species basks actively in available sunlight to regulate its body temperature, a critical behaviour given the cold conditions across much of its southern range.
Is the Magellanic lizard active year-round?
No, this species is active mainly during the warmer months of the year, becoming dormant during the harshest cold of the Patagonian and Tierra del Fuego winter.