Plateau Striped Whiptail

Description:

From reptilesofaz.org: "A small (up to 85 mm or 3.3" from snout to vent), slim, dark brown to black lizard with a long, thin tail, and a slim, pointed snout. The body is marked with six or seven yellow to cream stripes. When present the (seventh) mid-dorsal stripe is thin and muted or discontinuous. The tail is light blue. The underside is plain and pale. Juveniles have a bright blue tail. The scales on the body are small and granular. The scales on the tail are large, keeled, and rectangular. The belly scales are large, smooth, and rectangular. The scales on top of the head are large, smooth, and plate-like. Its lack of spots distinguishes this lizard from many Arizona whiptails. Its distinctly blue tail coloration distinguishes it from the similar looking Desert Grassland Whiptail. Its lack of blue tinting on the feet and underside distinguish it from the Pai Striped Whiptail."

Habitat:

"A wide variety of communities are inhabited including Great Basin Desertscrub, Plains and Great Basin Grassland, Great Basin Conifer Woodland, and Petran Montane Conifer Forest. Found in an equally wide variety of terrain types including open flatlands, riparian corridors, bajadas, wooded foothills, canyons, and slopes. "