# 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. - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 11 - **Habitat:** Deserts and grasslands ![Common Spotted Whiptail](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Aspidoscelis_gularis_315551221.jpg&width=800) Photo: Brady Reed, CC0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Aspidoscelis_gularis_315551221.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Squamata - **Order:** Lacertilia - **Family:** Teiidae - **Genus:** Aspidoscelis ## 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 - **Tail Escape:** The Common Spotted Whiptail can drop its tail if a predator grabs it, because the wiggling tail distracts the attacker. - **Super Speed Foraging:** The Common Spotted Whiptail has incredible speed and agility that helps them constantly chase down fast-moving insects for food. - **Burrowing Hideout:** The Common Spotted Whiptail can quickly dig shallow burrows that helps them hide from danger or escape the hot sun. - **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 - **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 - **Eats:** [Field Ant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/field-ant) (*Formica pallidefulva*) — A common food source for the whiptail. - **Eats:** American Grasshopper (*Schistocerca americana*) — Provides a large, nutritious meal for the lizard. - **Eaten by:** [Coachwhip](https://www.snappit.app/explore/coachwhip) (*Masticophis flagellum*) — A fast snake that preys on whiptail lizards. - **Eaten by:** [Greater Roadrunner](https://www.snappit.app/explore/greater-roadrunner) (*Geococcyx californianus*) — A quick bird that hunts lizards in its habitat. ## Traits - [Spotted](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spotted): Marked with spots or patches of a different color. - [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. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [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. - [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 lizards from a distance and don't try to catch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Common Spotted 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 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 ## Where to spot - [Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center and Botanical Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chihuahuan-desert-nature-center-and-botanical-gardens) — Texas, US · Botanical Garden - [Congress Avenue Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/congress-avenue-historic-district) — Texas, US · Historic District - [Fort Brown](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fort-brown) — US · Historic Site - [San Antonio Missions National Historical Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/san-antonio-missions-national-historical-park) — Texas, US · National Park - [Bastrop State Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bastrop-state-park) — Texas, US · State Park - [Fort Concho](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fort-concho) — Texas, US · Historic Site [View all places to see Common Spotted Whiptail](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/common-spotted-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 Spotted Whiptail: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-spotted-whiptail)