The Reptiles and Amphibians of Utah

Description: Brown or black base color with six or seven cream or yellow well-defined stripes down the dorsal. The center (vertebral) stripe is occasionally absent. This species generally lacks spots. The tail is 2-2.5 times the length of the body and is light blue or blue-green in color. The nose is narrow and pointed. Juveniles look similar in pattern to adults with darker and bolder colors and a bright blue tail. 

Size: A medium-sized slender lizard that averages 8 to 10 inches in total length. 

Range and Habitat: This lizard occurs through the Southern Colorado Plateau and a portion of the Southern Great Basin. It inhabits desertscrub, grasslands, pinyon-juniper woodlands, and semi-desert shrublands. It can be found below 7,000 feet in elevation. 

Similar Species: The New Mexico Whiptail has a wavy center dorsal stripe and a “Y” shape at the back of the head. The Plateau Tiger Whiptail and Great Basin Whiptail have a mottled pattern with indistinct dorsal stripes.