About Aspidoscelis neomexicanus (Lowe & Zweifel, 1952)
Common Name & Size
Aspidoscelis neomexicanus, commonly known as the New Mexico whiptail, reaches a total length of 6.5 to 9.1 inches (16.5 to 23 cm).
Dorsal Base Color & Stripes
Its base body color is most often brown or black overall, with seven pale yellow stripes that run continuously from the head down to the tail.
Dorsal Spotting
Pale spots often appear between these stripes.
Ventral Coloration
The lizard has a white or pale blue underside, paired with a blue or blue-green throat.
Body & Tail Shape
It has a slender body and a long tail.
Juvenile Tail Color & Ontogenetic Change
Hatchlings and young juveniles most commonly have a blue-green tail that becomes the same spotted brown and yellow color pattern as the rest of the body as the lizard ages.
