Range
Central and southern New Mexico, west Texas, and north central Mexico.
Habitats
This ground-dwelling lizard prefers sandy substrate in sparsely vegetated semiarid habitats. It will sometimes be found on the edges of woodland areas.
Identification
This whiptail averages 8-12 inches in total length and is named for the marbled pattern on its back. Like all whiptails, it has plate-like scales on its head, a pointed snout, granular body scales, smooth rectangular ventral scales, and sharply keeled scales on its excessively long tail. Its dorsum is tan with grey to black marbled markings aligned in rows, creating the appearance of 4-8 light longitudinal stripes.
Learn more with Schechter Natural History's Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians