Cnemidophorus dixoni
Encyclopedia
The Gray Checkered Whiptail (Cnemidophorus dixoni) is a species
of lizard
native to the United States
in southern New Mexico
and western Texas
, and northern Mexico
. It was once considered a subspecies of the Common Checkered Whiptail, Cnemidophorus tesselatus
, but was later granted full species status. It is one of many lizard species known to be parthenogenic
. The epithet dixoni is in homage of renowned herpetologist
James R. Dixon
, which leads some sources to refer to it as Dixon's Whiptail.
and insectivorous
. They are wary, energetic, and fast moving, darting for cover if approached. Its preferred habitat
is rocky, semi-arid areas with sparse vegetation. The species is parthogenic, females lay unfertilized eggs
in the mid-summer, which hatch in approximately six 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...
native to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in southern 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 western 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 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...
. It was once considered a subspecies of the Common Checkered Whiptail, Cnemidophorus tesselatus
Cnemidophorus tesselatus
The Checkered Whiptail 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...
, but was later granted full species status. 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...
. The epithet dixoni is in homage of renowned herpetologist
Herpetology
Herpetology is the branch of zoology concerned with the study of amphibians and reptiles...
James R. Dixon
James R. Dixon
Dr. James Ray Dixon is Professor Emeritus and Curator Emeritus of Amphibians and Reptiles at the Texas Cooperative Wildlife Collection at Texas A&M University. His main research focus has been the natural history of Texas amphibians and reptiles and he has authored numerous field guides and...
, which leads some sources to refer to it as Dixon's Whiptail.
Description
The Gray Checkered Whiptail grows to between 8 and 12 in (20.3 and 30.5 cm) in length. It is typically gray in color, with 10–12 white or yellow stripes that go the length of the body, often with spotting or checkering on the stripes. They are thin bodied, with a long tail.Behavior
Like most whiptail lizards, the Gray 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. Its preferred habitat
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...
is rocky, semi-arid areas with sparse vegetation. The species is parthogenic, females lay 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 the mid-summer, which hatch in approximately six weeks.