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Tiger Whiptail
The tiger whiptail is a slender, speckled lizard found in hot, dry habitats.
About This Species
Unlike the Colorado and common checked whiptails, both of which live in Colorado, the tiger whiptail has both male and female sexes in the species. Like other whiptails they can drop their tail, which continues to twitch and wriggle, in order to distract predators.
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Physical Characteristics
This long, slender lizard exhibits an overall checkered pattern, which includes light stripes down the back. Adults reach a maximum size of 4 inches (10.4 cm) snout-to-vent length (SVL) and 12.2 inches (31 cm) total length.
Range
Extreme Western Colorado below 6,000 feet.
Habitat
Lowland habitats of western river valleys with shrubs, pinon pine, or juniper present. Use underground burrows during inactive periods.
Diet
Any available arthropod, usually found in/under leaf litter.
Reproduction
Mating occurs from late may to mid-June and 3-4 eggs are laid in June. Hatchlings start appearing in early August. Eggs average 0.67-0.75 x 0.35-0.4 inches (17-19 x 9-10 mm). Hatchlings have a more defined color/stripe pattern on back and a bright blue tail.