SIX-LINED RACERUNNER
Aspidoscelis sexlineatus
These fast-moving lizards are typically brown or nearly black with seven (instead of six) lines, which vary from blue-green to blue, extending from the head, down the back, along the sides to the tail. These lines may be light blue, yellow, cream, or gray. The tail is tan, gray or brown. The head and front portion of the body are bright green (especially in males). Males have a gray or blue-gray belly, females will be salmon-pink or creamy white.
Length: 6-7 inches.
They occur statewide except for extreme Northern, and Northeastern Counties. Another subspecies, the six-lined racerunner, occurs in the Southeast and Eastern side of our state.
They are Missouri’s only relative to the whiptail lizards common in the Southwest United States.
Associated with a wide variety of dry, arid habitats, such as glades, rocky hillsides, river floodplains, railroad beds, and along sandbars and gravel roads.
They will often be found under rocks, logs or other debris in shallow burrows they dig to hide from predators or escape from extreme heat. They will also quickly dart into water to escape danger.
Length: 6-7 inches.
They occur statewide except for extreme Northern, and Northeastern Counties. Another subspecies, the six-lined racerunner, occurs in the Southeast and Eastern side of our state.
They are Missouri’s only relative to the whiptail lizards common in the Southwest United States.
Associated with a wide variety of dry, arid habitats, such as glades, rocky hillsides, river floodplains, railroad beds, and along sandbars and gravel roads.
They will often be found under rocks, logs or other debris in shallow burrows they dig to hide from predators or escape from extreme heat. They will also quickly dart into water to escape danger.
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Photos by Peter Paplanus
