#whiptails

Giant Ameiva (Ameiva ameiva)

Common Spotted Whiptail (Aspidoscelis gularis). Family Teiidae, order Squamata.

"Surinam lizard (Ameiva surinamensis)". Possibly a giant ameiva (Ameiva ameiva).

Reptiles and Amphibians of the World. Written by Hans Hvass. Illustrated by Wilhelm Eigener. Originally published in 1958.

Taking Note of the New Mexico Whiptail

The New Mexico Whiptail (Aspidoscelis neomexicanus) is the state lizard of New Mexico in the United States of America, and for good reason. These beautifully patterned lizards are incredibly unique because the entire species is female, and they reproduce via parthenogenesis.

Parthenogenesis is a form of asexual reproduction in which in embryos develop without sperm. It’s found in plants, invertebrates, fish, reptiles, amphibians, and several bird species. Offspring are full clones of their mother. New Mexico whiptails can also be produced as a cross of western whiptails and little striped whiptails. All reproduction occurs during the summer. To produce eggs asexually, female New Mexico whiptails engage in mating behavior with each other, in which one female will lay on top of each other. Afterwards, a female will lay up to four eggs. The eggs hatch two months later, fully formed and independent.

New Mexico whiptails can be distinguished from other lizard species by the seven yellow stripes along their back and their dotted sides. Individuals can be anywhere from 6.5 to 23 cm, with a tail about as long as their body that is a distinct blue-green during the juvenile stage.

Outside mating, A. neomexicanus is a solitary lizard. They spend most of the day hiding from predators, thermoregulating, or foraging for food. They feed on insects, and are often seen digging in the dirt. If threatened, New Mexico Whiptails can move extremely quickly, even running on their hind legs to escape. Common predators include hawks, road runners, owls, and desert foxes. During the winter, these lizards will burrow into the ground and hibernate.

Happy Pride Month!

I wanted to draw two of my favorite characters from an upcoming book in the Skytown series. Sutta and her wife Kirri! 

I’ve drawn Sutta (left) a few times before but I’ve never drawn Kirri in full color so her design might tweak a bit but I’m happy with it for now!

Sutta and Kirri are Whiptail Lizards belonging to one of several species of Whiptails who have evolved to be entirely female. They still take mates and both lizards will lay eggs resulting in clutches of identical genetic clones of their mother(s).