Holcosus undulatus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Holcosus undulatus |
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| Conservation status | |
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Holcosus
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| Species: |
undulatus
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The barred whiptail (scientific name: Holcosus undulatus) is a cool type of lizard! People also call it the metallic ameiva or the rainbow ameiva because of its shiny colors. This lizard belongs to a group of reptiles called the Teiidae family. You can only find the barred whiptail in Mexico, which means it's endemic there. There are also three different kinds, or subspecies, of this lizard.
What Does the Barred Whiptail Look Like?
The barred whiptail lizard is usually brown. It has cool darker zig-zag stripes along its sides, almost like a pattern. Sometimes, you can even see bright blue and green colors on its sides and belly, which is why some people call it the "rainbow ameiva"! It looks a lot like another lizard called the Middle American ameiva.
Where Does the Barred Whiptail Live?
This lizard likes to live in open areas. You can often find it hiding among leaves and other plant bits on the ground, which is called "litter." It's a great place for them to find food and stay safe!
Different Kinds of Barred Whiptails
There are three recognized subspecies, or types, of the barred whiptail lizard:
- Holcosus undulatus dexter
- Holcosus undulatus miadis
- Holcosus undulatus undulatus
