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(Cnemidophorus
sexlineatus)
Identification: Body long and slender; upper side
with small granular scales; belly with larger rectangular scales; three pale
stripes along each side of back, plus a stripe along the middle of the back
sometimes divided into two stripes; no light spots or bars in dark fields
between stripes; neck and shoulders of adults often with bright-greenish wash;
stripes may not contrast sharply with dark areas on shoulders; scales on
undersurface of base of front legs not enlarged; maximum size about 27 cm (10.6
inches) total length and 8.8 cm (3.5 inches) snout-vent
length.
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Mature male: Belly pale blue. |
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Mature female: Belly whitish.
Hatchling: Tail bright blue; light stripes contrast
sharply with dark areas on shoulders.
Colorado Distribution:
Throughout eastern Colorado to the
margins of the mountains. Common.
Habitat:
Plains grassland (including rocky
out-croppings and roadsides), sandhills, sandy or gravelly banks and floodplains
of streams, grassy openings among ponderosa pines in the foothills, and open
areas among rocks at the base of the mountains. Unvegetated or sparsely
vegetated openings are required; the lizards spend nearly all of their active
time moving about on the ground. During periods of inactivity, racerunners hide
beneath rocks, logs, and various debris, or underground; commonly digs own
burrow under object or in sandy soil.
Life History:
Females produce 1-2 clutches of
eggs from June to early August. Hatchlings emerge in August and
September.
Note: The scientific name of this lizard was recently changed to Aspidoscelis
sexlineata.