Six-lined Racerunner

Cnemidophorus sexlineatus

The Six-lined Racerunner and its kin, the whiptails, are known for their speed. These lizards like hot weather; they are the last ones to become active in spring and the first to retreat in the fall. Racerunners are active during the heat of the day when other lizards have disappeared. They depend on speed to catch insects and avoid predators.

Look For : A very fast, nervous, long-tailed lizard with 6 light stripes running length of brown or greenish-brown body.

Length : 6-9 1/2".

Habitat : Dry, sunny fields, coastal dunes, woodland edges, grasslands, river floodplains.

Range : Central and southeastern U.S., north into South Dakota and up the east coast to Maryland.