Zebra-tailed Lizard

Callisaurus draconoides

Zebra-Tailed Lizard are small, sandy-pale reptiles with banded white and black tails. They can be found in the scorching hot desert areas of the Southwestern United States. What makes them so remarkable is that they are actually active during the day, unlike many other desert critters that only come out during the cooler nights.

During hot days they can be found basking on rocks, and though they may look tired in the heat, don't be fooled! Zebra-tailed Lizards are incredibly fast and quite crafty. They can speed away from danger, and if the movement isn't enough they use their striped tails to distract their attacker. This is because the tail can detach and grow back.

Zebra-tailed lizards are carnivores, and they feed mostly on Insects. Smaller lizards sometimes become a part of their diet as well. They'll even eat vegetation on occasion!

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IUCN Status : Not Listed

Location : Southwest United States

Size : Body Length up to 4in (10cm)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Sauropsida -- Order : Squamata
Family : Phrynosomatidae Genus : Callisaurus -- Species : C. draconoides