# Zebra-tailed Lizard (*Callisaurus draconoides*) The Zebra-tailed Lizard is a colorful reptile with a long tail that has black and white stripes. They love to bask in the sun and can run really fast when they feel scared! - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 10 - **Habitat:** Desert ![Zebra-tailed Lizard](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Zebra-tailed_Lizard_%2833058906354%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Zebra-tailed_Lizard_%2833058906354%29.jpg) ## Appearance The Zebra-tailed Lizard has a flattened body with a long, strikingly banded black and white tail. Its pale grey to sandy body is marked with dark spots, helping it blend into its desert home. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Squamata - **Order:** Lacertilia - **Family:** Phrynosomatidae - **Genus:** Callisaurus ## Interesting facts - If caught, this lizard can detach its tail to escape, and it grows back! - These desert dwellers get most water from eating juicy insects and plants! - They run so fast, sometimes lifting front legs to sprint on two feet! - To hide from danger, they quickly dive headfirst into sand and disappear! ## Special abilities - **Super Desert Sprint:** Zebra-tailed Lizard can sprint incredibly fast on sandy terrain because of its long legs and streamlined body. - **Tail Communication & Distraction:** Zebra-tailed Lizard can wag its striking tail to distract predators or signal to other lizards. - **Instant Sand Dive:** Zebra-tailed Lizard can quickly bury itself in loose sand because its flattened body allows for rapid concealment. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 6-25 cm - **Weight:** 0.005-0.02 kg - **Lifespan:** 3-5 years - **Speed:** 29 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 2-8 - **Incubation:** 30-45 days ## Diet & Feeding A swift hunter, the Zebra-tailed Lizard mainly eats insects and other small invertebrates. - **Primary Foods:** beetles, grasshoppers, ants, spiders, small lizards - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Gopher Snake](https://www.snappit.app/explore/gopher-snake) (*Pituophis catenifer*) — A common snake predator in its desert habitat. - **Eaten by:** [Red-tailed Hawk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-tailed-hawk) (*Buteo jamaicensis*) — This swift hawk hunts lizards from above. - **Eats:** Silky Ant (*Formica fusca*) — A common food source for young and adult lizards. - **Eats:** [Gray Bird Grasshopper](https://www.snappit.app/explore/gray-bird-grasshopper) (*Schistocerca nitens*) — Hunts and consumes various desert grasshoppers. ## Traits - [Striped](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/striped): Marked with parallel bands or lines of color. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [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. - [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 from a distance and don't try to catch lizards; they are best left in their homes. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Zebra-tailed Lizard? 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 Zebra-tailed Lizard? 6-25 cm ### How much does Zebra-tailed Lizard weigh? 0.005-0.02 kg ### How long does Zebra-tailed Lizard live? 3-5 years ### How fast can Zebra-tailed Lizard move? 29 km/h ### What does Zebra-tailed Lizard eat? A swift hunter, the Zebra-tailed Lizard mainly eats insects and other small invertebrates. ### Where is Zebra-tailed Lizard usually found? Desert ### How does Zebra-tailed Lizard hunt? Pursuit ## Where to spot - [Rainbow Basin](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/rainbow-basin) — California, US · Nature Reserve - [Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/arizona-sonora-desert-museum) — Arizona, US · Zoo - [Burro Schmidt Tunnel](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/burro-schmidt-tunnel) — California, US · Nature Reserve - [Jawbone Canyon](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/jawbone-canyon) — California, US · Nature Reserve - [Last Chance Canyon](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/last-chance-canyon) — California, US · Natural Landmark - [Living Desert Zoo and Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/living-desert-zoo-and-gardens-california) — California, US · Zoo [View all places to see Zebra-tailed Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/zebra-tailed-lizard) ## 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: [Zebra-tailed Lizard: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/zebra-tailed-lizard)