Saint Croix ground lizard  (Ameiva polops)

Historically, this species was found on Saint Croix and its offshore islets and cays in the U.S. Virgin Islands (3). Today, populations are native only to Green Cay and Protestant Cay off the north coast and have been introduced to the manmade Ruth Cay off the south coast of Saint Croix, having not been seen on Saint Croix itself since 1968 (3).

Found in beach areas and upland forest, frequently amongst leaf litter and tidal litter, or in crab burrows (7). Smaller individuals are found in more exposed habitat while larger lizards are found in more canopied areas (8).