The Reptiles and Amphibians of Utah

Description: Cream, Yellow, or tan base color with reticulated or mottled black patterning. Heavier patterning toward the upper body and head that fades further down the body. There are four poorly defined dorsal stripes. The tail is 2-3 times the length of the body and gray or black in color. The nose is narrow and pointed. Juveniles are dark brown or black with well-defined stripes. They have cream or yellow spots in between the stripes and on their sides and a bright blue tail.   

Size: A medium-sized slender lizard that averages 10 to 12 inches in total length. 

Range and Habitat: This subspecies occurs through much of the western half of the state. It inhabits shadscale-dominated saline basins, sagebrush basins and slopes, Great Basin desertscrub and shrublands, and grasslands. They can be found below 6,000 feet in elevation. 

Similar Species: The Plateau Striped Whiptail and New Mexico Whiptail have a dark base color and well-defined stripes.