Cnemidophorus tesselatus
Encyclopedia
The Checkered Whiptail (Cnemidophorus tesselatus) is a species
of lizard
found in the southwestern United States
in Colorado
, Texas
and New Mexico
, and in northern Mexico
in Chihuahua and Coahuila
. Many sources believe that the species originated from the hybridization of the Marbled Whiptail, Cnemidophorus marmoratus
, the Plateau Spotted Whiptail, Cnemidophorus septemvittatus
and possibly the Six-lined Racerunner, Cnemidophorus sexlineatus
. It is one of many lizard species known to be parthenogenic
. It is sometimes referred to as the Common Checkered Whiptail to differentiate it from several other species known as checkered whiptails.
.
and insectivorous
. They are wary, energetic, and fast moving, darting for cover if approached. They are found in semi-arid, rocky habitats
, normally in canyon lands or hilled regions. They are parthenogenic, laying up to eight unfertilized eggs
in mid summer, which hatch in six to eight weeks.
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
of lizard
Lizard
Lizards are a widespread group of squamate reptiles, with nearly 3800 species, ranging across all continents except Antarctica as well as most oceanic island chains...
found in the southwestern United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
and New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
, and in northern Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
in Chihuahua and Coahuila
Coahuila
Coahuila, formally Coahuila de Zaragoza , officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Coahuila de Zaragoza is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico...
. Many sources believe that the species originated from the hybridization of the Marbled Whiptail, Cnemidophorus marmoratus
Cnemidophorus marmoratus
The Marbled Whiptail is a species of lizard found in the United States, in southern New Mexico and Texas, and in northern Mexico, in Coahuila, Chihuahua and Durango.- Description :...
, the Plateau Spotted Whiptail, Cnemidophorus septemvittatus
Cnemidophorus septemvittatus
The Plateau spotted whiptail is a species of lizard found in the southern United States in Texas, and in northern Mexico in Chihuahua and Coahuila...
and possibly the Six-lined Racerunner, Cnemidophorus sexlineatus
Cnemidophorus sexlineatus
The Six-lined Racerunner is a species of lizard found in the United States, from Wyoming across the Great Plains east to Rhode Island, south to Florida and west to southern Texas, and in northern Mexico, in Tamaulipas....
. It is one of many lizard species known to be parthenogenic
Parthenogenesis
Parthenogenesis is a form of asexual reproduction found in females, where growth and development of embryos occur without fertilization by a male...
. It is sometimes referred to as the Common Checkered Whiptail to differentiate it from several other species known as checkered whiptails.
Description
The Checkered Whiptail grows to about 4 inches in length. Their pattern and base coloration varies widely, with brown or black blotching, checkering or striping on a pale yellow or white base color. Their rear legs often have dark spotting, and their underside is usually white with dark flecking on the throat area. They are slender bodied, with a long tailTail
The tail is the section at the rear end of an animal's body; 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 mammals, reptiles, and birds...
.
Behavior
Like other species of whiptail lizard, the Checkered Whiptail is diurnalDiurnal animal
Diurnality is a plant or animal behavior characterized by activity during the day and sleeping at night.-In animals:Animals that are not diurnal might be nocturnal or crepuscular . Many animal species are diurnal, including many mammals, insects, reptiles and birds...
and insectivorous
Insectivore
An insectivore is a type of carnivore with a diet that consists chiefly of insects and similar small creatures. An alternate term is entomophage, which also refers to the human practice of eating insects....
. They are wary, energetic, and fast moving, darting for cover if approached. They are found in semi-arid, rocky habitats
Habitat (ecology)
A habitat is an ecological or environmental area that is inhabited by a particular species of animal, plant or other type of organism...
, normally in canyon lands or hilled regions. They are parthenogenic, laying up to eight unfertilized eggs
Egg (biology)
An egg is an organic vessel in which an embryo first begins to develop. In most birds, reptiles, insects, molluscs, fish, and monotremes, an egg is the zygote, resulting from fertilization of the ovum, which is expelled from the body and permitted to develop outside the body until the developing...
in mid summer, which hatch in six to eight weeks.