|
|
|
Practically
all New Mexico Whiptails are females; they reproduce parthenogenetically. That
is, their eggs hatch without fertilization and their offspring are genetic replicas
of the mother. On occasion, they have mated with other species of lizards, resulting
in color pattern variations. These lizards inhabit mesquite-creosote bush scrublands
and shrub desert grasslands up through piñon-juniper woodlands, also
sandy or gravelly arroyos and riparian areas. They are good climbers. They dig
and forage for meals of insects, spiders and sometimes scorpions. In turn, birds
and snakes find them tasty. |
|
