The little striped whiptail (''Aspidoscelis inornatus'') is a

species In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...

of lizard found in the southwestern United States (in

Arizona Arizona ( ; nv, Hoozdo Hahoodzo ; ood, Alĭ ṣonak ) is a state in the Southwestern United States. It is the 6th largest and the 14th most populous of the 50 states. Its capital and largest city is Phoenix. Arizona is part of the Fou ...

New Mexico ) , population_demonym = New Mexican ( es, Neomexicano, Neomejicano, Nuevo Mexicano) , seat = Santa Fe , LargestCity = Albuquerque , LargestMetro = Tiguex , OfficialLang = None , Languages = English, Spanish ( New Mexican), Navajo, Ke ...

and

Texas Texas (, ; Spanish: ''Texas'', ''Tejas'') is a state in the South Central region of the United States. At 268,596 square miles (695,662 km2), and with more than 29.1 million residents in 2020, it is the second-largest U.S. state by ...

) and in northern Mexico (in Chihuahua, Coahuila, Durango,

Zacatecas , image_map = Zacatecas in Mexico (location map scheme).svg , map_caption = State of Zacatecas within Mexico , coordinates = , coor_pinpoint = , coordinates_footnotes = , subdivision_type ...

, San Luis Potosí, and Nuevo León). A significant amount of research was done on the species during the mid-1990s, with several new subspecies being added, many of which some sources consider to be distinct enough to warrant full species status, and the research is ongoing. It is called ''little'' to distinguish it from many other species known as striped whiptails and to indicate that it is the smallest of those species.

Description

The little striped whiptail grows from 6.5 to 9.5 inches in length. It is typically black in color, with yellow or white striping from head to tail, and a light blue underside. It is slender bodied, with a blue colored

tail The tail is the section at the rear end of certain kinds of animals’ bodies; in general, the term refers to a distinct, flexible appendage to the torso. It is the part of the body that corresponds roughly to the sacrum and coccyx in mammal ...

approximately three times the body length. The blue coloration is much more pronounced on males than females. They aren't always striped or blue, sometimes they are brown with darker patches to blend in with the sand or dirt.

Behavior

Like most species of whiptail lizard, the little striped whiptail is diurnal and insectivorous. They are wary, energetic, and fast moving, darting for cover if approached. They are found in a range of habitats, from

grassland A grassland is an area where the vegetation is dominated by grasses ( Poaceae). However, sedge ( Cyperaceae) and rush ( Juncaceae) can also be found along with variable proportions of legumes, like clover, and other herbs. Grasslands occur na ...

s to semi-arid rocky slopes. Breeding takes place in the late spring, and clutches of 2 to 4

eggs Humans and human ancestors have scavenged and eaten animal eggs for millions of years. Humans in Southeast Asia had domesticated chickens and harvested their eggs for food by 1,500 BCE. The most widely consumed eggs are those of fowl, especial ...

are laid from May to July and hatch approximately six weeks later. The whiptail species eat crickets and other insects that live in Arizona. They are very fast in speed and quick to dive under a cactus if necessary.

Subspecies

There are eight recognized subspecies of ''Cnemidophorus inornatus'': *'' Aspidoscelis inornatus chihuahuae'' (

Wright Wright is an occupational surname originating in England. The term 'Wright' comes from the circa 700 AD Old English word 'wryhta' or 'wyrhta', meaning worker or shaper of wood. Later it became any occupational worker (for example, a shipwright i ...

& Lowe, 1993) *'' Aspidoscelis inornatus cienegae'' (

& Lowe, 1993) *''

Aspidoscelis inornatus heptagrammus The Trans-Pecos striped whiptail (''Aspidoscelis inornatus heptagrammus'') is a subspecies of the little striped whiptail (''Aspidoscelis inornatus'') lizard. It is found in the semiarid, sandy habitat (ecology), habitats of the Chihuahuan Desert ...

'' ( Axtell, 1961) - Trans-Pecos striped whiptail *'' Aspidoscelis inornatus juniperus'' (

& Lowe, 1993) - woodland striped whiptail *'' Aspidoscelis inornatus llanuras'' (

& Lowe, 1993) *'' Aspidoscelis inornatus inornatus'' ( Baird, 1859) *'' Aspidoscelis inornatus octolineatus'' ( Baird, 1858) *'' Aspidoscelis inornatus paululus'' ( Williams, 1968)

References

;Notes *
Herps of Texas: ''Cnemidophorus inornatus heptagrammus''
{{Taxonbar, from=Q2709319 Aspidoscelis Fauna of the Southwestern United States Fauna of Northeastern Mexico Reptiles of the United States Reptiles of Mexico Reptiles described in 1859 Taxa named by Spencer Fullerton Baird