Gila
Spotted Whiptail
Sonoran Spotted Whiptail
Cnemidophorus flagellicaudus
Body length: 2 1/2 - 3 3/4
"
Diet: Termites, spiders, and other arthropods
These two whiptail species share an uncommon trait: parthenogenesis, or development
of the young from unfertilized eggs. There are no males in either species - only
females! Scientists are still not sure how these all-female whiptails originated,
and how a number of separate but very similar species are related.
Although many naturalists have trouble distinguishing species of whiptails, even
experts struggle when it comes to separating these two. Both species are about
the same size and live in similar rocky grassland habitats (such as below the
Upper Cliff Dwelling). Both have stripes running the length of their tails and
bodies. The differences are subtle, but as a general rule Gila spotted whiptails
have spots within the pale stripes, while Sonoran spotted whiptails do not.
NPS
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Updated
May 8, 2005