Pai Striped Whiptail

Range

Endemic to the Colorado Plateau of northern Arizona, with a small disjunct population in central Arizona.

Habitats

This ground-dwelling species is usually found in plains or grassland habitats, and sometimes into conifer woodlands or chaparral. It likes to forage through ground debris during the day.

Identification

This whiptail averages 3.4 inches from snout to vent. Like all whiptails, it has a pointed snout, plate-like scales on its head, granular body scales, and sharply keeled scales on its whip-like tail. It has 6 light longitudinal lines on a dark brown to black background from behind the eyes to the base of the tail, which is bright blue. Its legs, face, and ventrum are tinted pale blue.

Learn more with Schechter Natural History's Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians