A Guide to the Amphibians
and Reptiles of California

Click on a picture for a larger view

California Whiptails - genus Aspidoscelis

(formerly genus Cnemidophorus)

Whiptails are medium-sized, long, slim-bodied, diurnal, fast-moving, l lizards with long thin tails. They are typically found in hot, dry, flat open spaces in deserts or semi-arid areas. Whiptails can be striped, or spotted, or both. Typically, they are seen on the ground running in open spots from bush to bush, and more rarely, climbing on rocks or vegetation. Normally, you will see one walking slowly with a jerky motion from bush to bush, occasionally digging or scratching the ground looking for insects. When you get too close, they will run quickly away from you for a short distance, then continue walking from bush to bush. Rarely do they stop completely, unless they run into a hole. Two whiptail species occur naturally in California - - Belding's Orange-throated Whiptail, Aspidoscelis hyperythra - Tiger Whiptail, Aspidosceleis tigris (Three subspeces are found in the state.) Where they overlap in coastal Southern California, these two species are easy to tell apart, because the Orange-throated whiptail has distinct, solid lengthwise stripes, orange on the throat, and a bluish tail, while the Tiger Whiptail has a more checkered or spotted appearance with these spots sometimes forming broken stripes. A third introduced species has become established in southern California - - Sonoran Spotted Whiptail - Aspidoscelis sonorae The Sonoran Spotted Whiptail is similar in appearance to Belding's Orange-throated Whiptail, but they can be differentiated by examining the paravertebral stripes.
Tiger Whiptail - Aspidoscelis tigris
Three subspecies of this species are found in California, all about the same maximum size - 5 inches long (12.7 cm) not including the tail, or about 13 inches (33 cm) including the tail, and all fairly similar in appearance. Check the range map to determine which subpecies is in your area.
California Whiptail Aspidoscelis tigris munda	San Diegan Tiger Whiptail Aspidoscelis tigris stejnegeri	Great Basin Whiptail Aspidoscelis tigris tigris


© George Chrisman		© Adam Clause

Tiny juvenile Tiger Whiptails sometimes have more distinct stripes and usually have a blue tail, which fades as they grow larger
© Karyn Sieglitz	© Michael Sutton


Orange: California Tiger Whiptail Blue: San Diegan Tiger Whiptail Red: Great Basin Whiptail

Belding's Orange-throated Whiptail - Aspidoscelis hyperythra beldingi


	Juveniles have a bright blue tail, which might cause you to confuse them with a juvenile skink.

The smaller size, a dark back with distinct light stripes, a blueish tail and orange on the throat will differentiate this species from the Coastal Whiptail which sometimes shares its habitat in coastal Southern California. The paravertebral stripes (the two stripes on either side of the middle of the back) merge together to form a single mid-dorsal stripe that continues onto the tail. These stripes can help to differentiate this species from the non-native Sonoran Spotted Whiptail. This whiptail is also sometimes mistaken for a Western Skink, and vice versa. The skink will be more rounded, with more stripes that are thinner, and with a shorter, fatter snout, and a fatter tail. Breeding skinks will also have orange coloring under the throat, so do not let that confuse you. Also, juvenile Orange-throated whiptails may not have orange on the throat.

The orange-throated whiptail might be confused with a Coronado Skink, which occurs in the same areas, but the whiptail has more light stripes and they are thinner, along with other differences. Click the picture above to see a closer comparison.	Juvenile tiger whiptails, like the one shown above, with their distinct stripes and blue tail, can also be confused with orange-throated whiptails, but they have fewer stripes on the back and males do not have an orange throat.


Belding's Orange-throated Whiptail can be confused with a non-native species that is spreading around Orange County, The Sonoran Spotted Whiptail (show below.) These pictures can help to tell them apart. (click to enlarge)


Sonoran Spotted Whiptail - Aspidoscelis sonorae
Sonoran Spotted Whiptails are not native to California. They have become established in Orange County, and may spread to other nearby counties in the future. Adults have 6 distinct light stripes on the back with light spots in the dark fields between the stripes. The paravertebral stripes (the two stripes on either side of the middle of the back) remain parallel and fade out on the tail. Smaller than the native Western Whiptail, adults average 3.5 inches (9 cm) in length, not including the tail, but slightly larger than the native Belding's Orange-throated Whiptail, which this species is sometimes confused with.

Adult, Orange County © William Flaxington	Juvenile, Orange County © William Flaxington	Adult, Orange County © Ryan Winkleman

Adult, Orange County © Ryan Winkleman	Adult, Orange County © Nathan Taxel	Adult, Orange County © Ryan Winkleman

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