A new species of animal, resembling an alligator, has been discovered in the treetops of southern Mexico.
The scaly creature was found to be "unusually large" and went undetected due to its habitat in the foliage.
Researchers embarked on five expeditions from 2015-2022 based on intriguing photographs of the creature emerging in 2014.
Detecting the elusive lizard proved to be extraordinarily difficult, with researchers spending over 350 hours climbing trees and scouring the ground.
The newly identified species has been named the Coapilla arboreal alligator lizard (Abronia cunemica).
The lizard has a scaly yellow-brown body adorned with darker brown blotches and can grow up to 9.8 inches.
Researchers described the eyes of the lizard as pale yellow with dark flecks.
The discovery adds to recent findings, including a new species of dolphin, showcasing the rich biodiversity in the region.