The majority of the species are restricted to southern Mexico and Guatemala, but members of the genus occur as far south as Panama.

[3] Many species are considered threatened due to habitat loss, killing by locals who mistakenly believe they are venomous, or collection for the captive reptile trade (they are listed on CITES, which restricts international trade).

[3] They feed on small animal prey, such as insects, and the females give birth to live young (rather than lay eggs).

[4] These medium-sized to fairly large lizards (maximum length generally up to about 35 cm [14 in]) possess intriguing physical traits such as long prehensile tails that can be regrown if lost, keeled body scales, and a helmet-like structure on the top of the head, which in some species, for example A. lythrochila, has spikes towards the rear.

[5][6] Their colors also vary significantly depending on species, including green, bluish-green, brown, yellowish, whitish, gray and black, and some have contrasting mottled or banded patterns.