Common Spotted Whiptail
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Reptilia Order: Squamata Family: Teiidae Genus: Cnemidophorus
Species: Cnemidophorus gularis
The Common Spotted Whiptail is an extremely fast lizard that darts across rugged terrain and burrows underground. It can be found when the weather is very hot and dry, and it lives in the wooded areas on campus, preferably in a rocky environment. Because of its speed, it is difficult to catch, but if it is handled, it will thrash about and bite, but it will not cause any real damage. Its tail may fall off if pulled, and although it grows back, it will be shorter than the first. Its back is very soft to the touch, and its large eyes give it a cute appearance. Its species name, gularis, comes from the Latin word for throat which is a reference to the bright red coloration of the neck of the males. To find this lizard, walk through the woods and keep an eye out for a striped blur running across the rocks and grasses, accompanied by a slight rustling sound.
Conservation status: Least concern
Description: Dark green, brown, or black with six light stripes running down the back and sides; females have white undersides with pink throats, and males have pale blue undersides and red throats; the tail is up to twice the length of the body
Size: Ranges from 6.5 to 11 inches in length
Diet: Includes various arthropods, spiders, grasshoppers, termites, leafhoppers, ants, and moths
Habitat: Sandy or loamy soils, open grasslands, shrublands, riverbanks, and floodplains; most commonly found in lowlands and hills
Defensive behavior: Will run away when approached; very fast and hard to catch, moving up to speeds of 18mph; thrashes wildly and bites if harassed; the tail may fall off if pulled
Credit source: The Reptile Database and NatureServe Explorer
