Plateau spotted whiptail facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Plateau spotted whiptail |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Aspidoscelis
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| Species: |
septemvittatus
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| Synonyms | |
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Cnemidophorus sackii semifasciatus |
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The plateau spotted whiptail (Aspidoscelis septemvittatus) is a type of lizard. You can find it in the southern United States, especially in Texas. It also lives in northern Mexico, in areas like Chihuahua and Coahuila.
This lizard sometimes mates with the Eastern Spotted Whiptail. Even so, scientists consider it a unique species. This is because of how it looks and acts.
Contents
About the Plateau Spotted Whiptail
The Plateau spotted whiptail can grow to be 8 to 12.5 inches long. That's about the length of a ruler!
What It Looks Like
This lizard is usually dark green, dark brown, or black. It has 6 to 7 cream-colored stripes. These stripes run all the way from its head down to its tail. Sometimes, you might see white spots between these stripes.
Its belly is often white or a light blue color. Female lizards might have an orange throat. This whiptail has a thin body. Its tail is super long, almost three times longer than its body!
How It Lives
Like other whiptail lizards, the Plateau spotted whiptail is active during the day. This means it is a diurnal animal. It mostly eats insects, so it is an insectivorous lizard.
Its Habits
These lizards are very careful and quick. They move fast! If you get close, they will quickly dart away to find cover. You can usually find them in dry canyonlands. They also live in rocky desert foothills.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Plateau spotted whiptails breed in the spring. Female lizards lay their eggs in the middle of summer. The eggs then hatch about six to eight weeks later.
- Genus Aspidoscelis at The Reptile Database
