whiptail

[hwip-teyl, wip-]

noun

1. any of numerous New World lizards of the family Teiidae, especially of the genus Cnemidophorus, characterized by great agility and alertness.

2. any of various other whip-tailed animals, as the whipscorpion.

Word History and Origins

Origin of whiptail¹

First recorded in 1765–75; whip + tail ¹

Example Sentences

For instance, a new study shows the rare Colorado checkered whiptail lizard stress-eats in response to noise.

Read more on National Geographic

Species such as the Blainville’s horned lizard and the whiptail lizard live on high ridgelines on the western side of the park.

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The mix would likely include blacktip reef sharks, whiptail rays, small fusilier fish and brilliant tang fish, said Tim Carpenter, the aquarium’s curator of fish and invertebrates.

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Among the finds were 124 species and eight subspecies believed to be new to science, like the spiny rat, whiptail lizard and orchid below.

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At one of the traps, as Rachael reaches in to remove a whiptail lizard, it runs up her arm and away.

Read more on The Verge