Ameiva ameiva is a relatively large teiid lizard that may reach nearly 20 cm in snout-vent length and 64 cm in total length. Its snout is characteristically pointed, and its tail is very long, comprising up to 70% of its total length. Coloration in this species is distinctive and is described in detail in “Morphology.” In brief, adult males have greenish to orange spots over a green or brown background, while juveniles and adult females have approximately 4-5 longitudinal stripes on their backs and spots on their flanks. This species is very active, and it is most commonly found foraging for food on or near the ground between midmorning and early afternoon. It occupies a wide range of habitats, from rainforests to dry, open areas, and it seems to tolerate some human habitat disturbance, thriving in certain types of plantations and clearings.