Beneath a hot sun, a desert grassland whiptail lizard is on the move. Noisily nosing through dry leaves and digging in the dirt, it actively seeks out termites and other insects to eat. If caught by a hawk or snake, the lizard may drop its tail to escape.
Desert Grassland Whiptail Lizard
Aspidoscelis uniparens
Fact File
Where to see them: Reptile House
Length: 6.5 to 9.5 in
Habitat: Desert, scrubland, and grassland
Diet: Insects
Females Only: All desert grassland whiptail lizards are female. Unfertilized eggs develop into lizards that are clones of their mother, a process called parthenogenesis.
