Desert Grassland Whiptail
Aspidoscelis uniparens
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassSquamata
- FamilyTeiidae (Whiptails and Tegus)
- GenusAspidoscelis (Northern Whiptails)
- SpeciesAspidoscelis uniparens (Desert Grassland Whiptail)
About the Desert Grassland Whiptail
The desert grassland whiptail lizard (Aspidoscelis uniparens) is an all-female species of reptiles in North America. It was formerly placed in the genus Cnemidophorus. A common predator of the whiptail lizard is the leopard lizard that preys on A. uniparens by using ambush and stalk hunting tactics. These reptiles reproduce by parthenogenesis. In this process, eggs undergo a chromosome doubling after meiosis, developing into lizards without being fertilized. However, ovulation is enhanced by female-female courtship and mating (pseudo-copulation) rituals that resemble the behavior of closely related species that reproduce sexually.
The desert grassland whiptail lizard is a relatively small reptile, whose size ranges from 2+3⁄4 to 5+1⁄4 inches (7.0 to 13.3 cm). Desert grassland whiptails are very long and slim, with a thin tail that is longer than their body length. Their distinct identifying feature are the six yellowish lines that run the length of their body. The majority of the whiptail's body tends to be an olive or brown colour that fades to a faint blue or gray on their tail. Comparatively, an adolescent's tail is a very bright and vibrant blue. Their bodies... Wikipedia →
Closest Relatives at Saguaro National Park
Global Distribution
Where this species is recorded worldwide. Restricted to human observations from 2019 onwards — the same kind of record and the same period the probabilities on this page are built from, so collar-tracking studies, camera-trap arrays and museum specimens are excluded. Around Santa Rosa that removes 5,924 GPS fixes from a handful of tagged jaguars.
where this species is recorded (GBIF density — it tracks where observers go, not how likely a sighting is) · parks where it occurs — tap a pin for the sighting probability there
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Saguaro National Park | 🇺🇸 United States |
More parks will be added in future updates.
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Desert Grassland Whiptail in Saguaro National Park?
About 10% of wildlife watchers report a Desert Grassland Whiptail sighting in Saguaro National Park, based on 50 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Desert Grassland Whiptail in Saguaro National Park?
September has the highest sighting rate for Desert Grassland Whiptail in Saguaro National Park in our monthly data.