Six-lined Racerunner
Aspidoscelis sexlineatus
6 to 9.5 inches in length, narrow body with whip-like tail. Characterized by 6 lines white to yellow lines running the length of body.
How to identify
6 to 9.5 inches in length, narrow body with whip-like tail. Characterized by 6 lines white to yellow lines running the length of body.
Range
Found in South & Central United States. Range includes New Mexico to North Carolina and Florida to Colorado & Maryland.
Habitat
Terrestrial. Prefers hot open areas such as fields, grasslands, sand dunes, and forests' edge.
Variations
The Western Prairie Racerunner subspecies has a 7th stripe running down body length and a bright green underbelly.
Name and etymology
Genus
Aspidoscelis
Greek for shield (aspido) leg (skelos).
Origin
Sources
- Wagler, 1830. Nat. Syst. Amph., p. 154
Cnemidophorus. Wagler, 1830 - Nat. Syst. Amph., p. 154
Species epithet
sexlineatus
Latin for six (sex) lined (lineatus).
Origin
Sources
- (Linnaeus, 1766). Syst. Nat., 12th ed., Vol. 1, p. 364 ↗
Cnemidophorus sexlineatus. (Linnaeus, 1766) - Syst. Nat., 12th ed., Vol. 1, p. 364
Explore more names in the etymology index.
More illustrations
Eastern Six-lined Racerunner Female
Prairie Racerunner Male
Prairie Racerunner Female
At a glance
Size
15.2 to 26.7 cm
Range
Found in South & Central United States. Range includes New Mexico to North Carolina and Florida to Colorado & Maryland.
Habitat
Terrestrial. Prefers hot open areas such as fields, grasslands, sand dunes, and forests' edge.
Range map
Approximate range. © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap