ExploreReptiles

Common Spotted Whiptail

Aspidoscelis gularis

The Common Spotted Whiptail is a lively lizard with beautiful spots. It loves to bask in the sun and is quick on its feet, making it fun to watch as it darts around.

Habitat: Deserts and grasslands

Appearance

The Common Spotted Whiptail is a slender lizard with a very long tail, often twice its body length. It has a dark brown or black body patterned with 6-8 distinct rows of light yellow or cream spots or bars. Its belly is typically white.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassSquamataOrderLacertiliaFamilyTeiidaeGenusAspidoscelis
Common Spotted Whiptail
spotted trait badgecamouflaged trait badgecolorful trait badgegrassland trait badge
Common Spotted Whiptail

Category

Reptiles

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

Be the first to snap!

Interesting facts

It searches for food almost constantly, rarely staying still for long!

Some whiptail lizards are all female, but this species has both boys and girls!

Their long tail helps them balance perfectly while running at top speeds!

They love to bask in sunny spots, warming up for their busy day of hunting!

Special abilities

Ability

Tail Escape

The Common Spotted Whiptail can drop its tail if a predator grabs it, because the wiggling tail distracts the attacker.

Ability

Super Speed Foraging

The Common Spotted Whiptail has incredible speed and agility that helps them constantly chase down fast-moving insects for food.

Ability

Burrowing Hideout

The Common Spotted Whiptail can quickly dig shallow burrows that helps them hide from danger or escape the hot sun.

Ability

Air Tasting Tongue

The Common Spotted Whiptail has a forked tongue that helps them 'taste' the air to find hidden prey or sense danger.

Measurements & details

Length
20-30 cm
Weight
0.005-0.02 kg
Lifespan
2-5 years
Top Speed
25 km/h
Clutch Size
1-5
Incubation
60-75 days

Diet & Feeding

This speedy lizard loves to eat a variety of insects and spiders it finds by actively searching.

Age differences: Juveniles typically consume smaller insects compared to adults.

Primary Foods

  • Ants
  • Beetles
  • Grasshoppers
  • Crickets
  • Termites
  • Spiders

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always watch lizards from a distance and don't try to catch them.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is Common Spotted Whiptail?

20-30 cm

How much does Common Spotted Whiptail weigh?

0.005-0.02 kg

How long does Common Spotted Whiptail live?

2-5 years

How fast can Common Spotted Whiptail move?

25 km/h

What does Common Spotted Whiptail eat?

This speedy lizard loves to eat a variety of insects and spiders it finds by actively searching.

Where is Common Spotted Whiptail usually found?

Deserts and grasslands

How does Common Spotted Whiptail hunt?

Foraging

How many eggs does Common Spotted Whiptail lay?

1-5

Snap Map

Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.

Loading map…

Recent Snaps

Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.

Where to spot

More Reptiles