Orange-Throated Whiptail

Orange-Throated Whiptail (Aspidoscelis hyperthyrus)

The Punta Banda peninsula has a wealth of native reptile species, including the orange-throated whiptail (Aspidoscelis hyperthyrus).  These long, slender lizards can be quite colorful: the juvenile has cobalt blue legs and tails, and the adult male has an orange belly, undertail, and throat, especially bright during breeding.  Adult females may also have some orange along the lining of the lower jaw.

In addition to its striking colors, the most definitive characteristic of the orange-throated whiptail is its behavior.  Active during the day, it exhibits a distinctive jerking gate with rapid, abrupt movements. These lizards are often seeking flicking their tongues and making quick dashes into cover when threatened. Males are territorial and will defend their space against other males through displays that include arching their back, flicking their tails, and pointing their snouts at the ground.

The orange-throated whiptail is endemic to southern California and Baja California – meaning it only occurs here and nowhere else in the world.  There are two subspecies: Belding’s orange-throated whiptail, which extends about two thirds of the way down the Baja peninsula; and Cape orange-throated whiptail, which lives in the southernmost portion of Baja. 

The orange-throated whiptail is considered a species of special concern in California due to habitat loss and fragmentation. Efforts to preserve its natural habitat in both the US and Mexico are crucial for maintaining healthy populations. The species' role in controlling insect populations highlight its ecological importance.