Aruba Whiptail

One of the notable adaptations observed within the Teiidae family of lizards is the transition to herbivorous diets in various endemic island species. This shift is particularly evident in the C. arubensis and C. murinus. The diet of Aruba whiptails encompasses both insects and predominantly plant material such as flowers, nectar, leaves and fruits. However, they exhibit selectivity in their plant consumption due to the presence of toxins in many available plant species, particularly those containing relatively high quantities phenols, saponin, and alkaloids (such as quinine). Consequently, these lizards actively avoid such plants. It has been observed that coprophagy, the consumption of feces, occurs in C. arubensis. The colon is larger than in other species of whiptails and is clearly adapted to a herbivorous diet. In a natural, undisturbed habitat, approximately 80% of the stomach contents consists of plant materials, while around 15% consists of insects and other anthropods. The remaining 5% consists materials such as feces, small stones and twigs. They play a significant role in the dispersal of seeds for certain plant species. This is achieved by their consumption of fruits, followed by the excretion of the seeds in diverse locations, aiding in seed dispersal and contributing to the plant's reproductive cycle.