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Plateau Striped Whiptail
ExploreReptiles
Plateau Striped Whiptail
Aspidoscelis velox
The Plateau Striped Whiptail is a lively lizard known for its beautiful stripes! It loves to run fast and can often be seen darting around in the sun, making it a fun creature to spot.
Habitat: Grasslands
Appearance
The Plateau Striped Whiptail is a slender lizard featuring a brown or black body adorned with light yellow or white stripes running down its back and sides, often with small spots between them. It has a distinctive long, whip-like tail that is usually twice the length of its body, and a pointed snout.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassSquamataOrderLacertiliaFamilyTeiidaeGenusAspidoscelis
Category
ReptilesRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
If a tail is lost, it can grow back, though sometimes it looks a little different!
Its long, thin tail is perfect for balancing while it zips around looking for food.
Some scientists call it "mother-only" reproduction, meaning no dads are needed!
These lizards spend their days constantly on the move, always searching for tasty bugs.
Special abilities
Ability
Tail Escape Artist
Plateau Striped Whiptail can drop its tail if caught by a predator, which wiggles to distract them, allowing the lizard to escape.
Ability
Self-Replication Power
Plateau Striped Whiptail has a unique ability to reproduce without a male, laying eggs that hatch into genetically identical daughters.
Ability
Speedy Burrower
Plateau Striped Whiptail can quickly dig into loose soil or under rocks to find shelter or escape danger thanks to its strong front limbs.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 15-25 cm
- Weight
- 0.005-0.015 kg
- Lifespan
- 2-5 years
- Top Speed
- 25 km/h
- Clutch Size
- 1-4
- Incubation
- 45-60 days
Diet & Feeding
They feast on a variety of tiny insects and other arthropods they find scurrying on the ground.
Primary Foods
- grasshoppers
- crickets
- spiders
- beetles
- termites
- larvae
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eats
Gopher Snake
Pituophis catenifer
Common predator in its habitat.
eats
Red-tailed Hawk
Buteo jamaicensis
Hunts lizards from above.
eats
Greater Roadrunner
Geococcyx californianus
Fast bird that preys on lizards.
eaten by
Western Harvester Ant
Pogonomyrmex occidentalis
A food source for the lizard.
eaten by
Darkling Beetle
Eleodes obscura
Commonly hunted for food.
Traits
Striped
Marked with parallel bands or lines of color.
Camouflaged
Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Insectivorous
This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates.
Diurnal
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Speedster
This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel.
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 Plateau Striped Whiptail?
15-25 cm
How much does Plateau Striped Whiptail weigh?
0.005-0.015 kg
How long does Plateau Striped Whiptail live?
2-5 years
How fast can Plateau Striped Whiptail move?
25 km/h
What does Plateau Striped Whiptail eat?
They feast on a variety of tiny insects and other arthropods they find scurrying on the ground.
Where is Plateau Striped Whiptail usually found?
Grasslands
How does Plateau Striped Whiptail hunt?
Foraging
How many eggs does Plateau Striped Whiptail lay?
1-4
Snap Map
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