Appearance
The six-lined racerunner is typically dark green, brown, or black in color, with six yellow or green-yellow stripes that extend down the body from head to tail. The underside is usually white in color on females, and a pale blue in males. Males also sometimes have a pale green-colored throat. They are slender-bodied, with a tail nearly twice the body length.
Naming
There are three recognized subspecies of ''A. sexlineata'':⤷ Eastern six-lined racerunner, ''Aspidoscelis sexlineata sexlineata''
⤷ Texas yellow-headed racerunner, ''Aspidoscelis sexlineata stephensae'' Trauth, 1992
⤷ Prairie racerunner, ''Aspidoscelis sexlineata viridis'' Lowe, 1966
Status
The six-lined racerunner is listed as a species of concern in the state of Michigan, due to its limited population but otherwise holds no official conservation status.Behavior
Like other species of whiptail lizards, the six-lined racerunner is diurnal and insectivorous. They are wary, energetic, and fast moving, with speeds of up to 18 mph , darting for cover if approached.Habitat
Due to its extensive range, ''A. sexlineata'' is found in a wide variety of habitats including grasslands, woodlands, open floodplains, or rocky outcroppings. It prefers lower elevations, with dry loamy soils.Reproduction
Breeding takes place in the spring and early summer, with up to six eggs being laid in mid-summer and hatching six to eight weeks later. A second clutch of eggs may be laid several weeks after the first.References:
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