# Common Checkered Whiptail (*Aspidoscelis tesselatus*) The Common Checkered Whiptail is a lively lizard with beautiful patterns on its skin. It loves to run fast and can often be seen darting around in sunny places. - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 6 - **Habitat:** Desert ![Common Checkered Whiptail](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Aspidoscelis_tesselata.jpeg&width=800) Photo: Vicente Mata-Silva, CC BY 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Aspidoscelis_tesselata.jpeg) ## Appearance The Common Checkered Whiptail has a slender body with a very long, whip-like tail, often twice its body length. It features a distinct pattern of dark brown or black squares on a lighter tan or yellow background, giving it a checkered look. Juveniles sometimes display a bright blue tail tip. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Squamata - **Order:** Lacertilia - **Family:** Teiidae - **Genus:** Aspidoscelis ## Interesting facts - Its super long tail can be twice as long as its whole body! - They use their tongues to 'smell' the world, just like a snake! - This speedy lizard often runs on just two legs to go even faster! - Whiptails are masters at digging, creating burrows for cool hideouts. ## Special abilities - **Tail Escape Artist:** Common Checkered Whiptail can drop its wiggling tail to distract predators, letting the lizard escape to safety! - **Speed Demon:** Common Checkered Whiptail has incredibly fast bursts of speed that help it catch quick insects and flee from danger. - **Self-Cloner:** Some Common Checkered Whiptails can lay eggs that hatch without a male because they are all-female populations, making babies alone! ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 20-30 cm - **Weight:** 0.005-0.02 kg - **Lifespan:** 2-5 years - **Speed:** 25 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 1-4 - **Incubation:** 45-60 days ## Diet & Feeding They munch on all sorts of creepy crawlies like insects and spiders. - **Primary Foods:** Crickets, Grasshoppers, Spiders, Beetle larvae, Termites - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Roadrunner (*Geococcyx californianus*) — Fast birds that hunt lizards in the desert. - **Eaten by:** [Gopher Snake](https://www.snappit.app/explore/gopher-snake) (*Pituophis catenifer*) — Larger snakes that ambush these lizards as prey. - **Eats:** Cricket (*Acheta domesticus*) — A common insect often hunted by whiptails. - **Eats:** Harvester Ant (*Pogonomyrmex barbatus*) — Hunts ants with its pointed snout. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Desert](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/desert): Desert habitats are arid regions characterized by extremely low precipitation and often extreme temperatures, supporting specialized flora and fauna. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. ## Collections - [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch where you step in the desert, as lizards can be quick and might surprise you! ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Common Checkered Whiptail? Compare toes, scales, head shape, crests and tail proportions. Many lizards can drop and regrow their tails, so a short tail isn't always a species trait. Lizard Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Common Checkered Whiptail? 20-30 cm ### How much does Common Checkered Whiptail weigh? 0.005-0.02 kg ### How long does Common Checkered Whiptail live? 2-5 years ### How fast can Common Checkered Whiptail move? 25 km/h ### What does Common Checkered Whiptail eat? They munch on all sorts of creepy crawlies like insects and spiders. ### Where is Common Checkered Whiptail usually found? Desert ### How does Common Checkered Whiptail hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Rattlesnake Springs Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/rattlesnake-springs-historic-district) — New Mexico, US · Historic District - [Metropolitan Park Bathhouse and Pool Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/metropolitan-park-bathhouse-and-pool-historic-district) — New Mexico, US · Historic District - [Centennial Museum and Chihuahuan Desert Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/centennial-museum-and-chihuahuan-desert-gardens) — US · Botanical Garden - [Glenrio](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/glenrio) — Texas, US · Neighborhood - [Living Desert Zoo and Gardens State Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/living-desert-zoo-and-gardens-state-park) — New Mexico, US · Botanical Garden - [The Caverns Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/the-caverns-historic-district) — New Mexico, US · Historic District [View all places to see Common Checkered Whiptail](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/common-checkered-whiptail) ## More Reptiles - [Pond Slider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pond-slider) (*Trachemys scripta*) - [Western Fence Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-fence-lizard) (*Sceloporus occidentalis*) - [Common Five-lined Skink](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-five-lined-skink) (*Plestiodon fasciatus*) - [Desert Spiny Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/desert-spiny-lizard) (*Sceloporus magister*) --- Source: [Common Checkered Whiptail: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-checkered-whiptail)