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This site was created by students in the herpetology class at Towson University. Site last updated: 05/21/07.
Acknowledgements: Herb Harris - Range Maps; Mark Tegges - Photography; Dan Lapascha & Gigi Forester - TU Herpetology Logo
Six-lined racerunner
(Apsidoscelis sexlineatus)
Description
The six-lined racerunner gets its name from the 6 white stripes separated by dark brown to black bands found on the dorsolateral surface and extending from the head to the tip of the tail. Racerunners in general get their name from their extremely quick speed and ability to outrun any human attempting to catch them. It is the only member of Family Teiidae found in Maryland. The dorsal scales are very fine and granular while the ventral scales are large, rectangular and arranged in 8 regular rows. This lizard is very slender with a long tail. Total length of this racerunner ranges from 15.2 – 24.1 cm with a snout-vent maximum of 7.6 cm. Sexual dimorphism is seen as color variation between males and females. The female venter and throat are generally white while the males have a pale blue venter and throat. Juveniles have a bright blue tail.
Habitat
This racerunner prefers open, dry, sunny areas with sandy or loose soil. It can commonly be found in grasslands and open woodlands.
Breeding
Mating takes place between April and June. Clutches contain 1- 6 eggs. Double clutching is common in this species. The first clutch is laid between June and July while the second clutch is laid roughly 3 weeks after the first clutch. Eggs hatch between June and September.
Distribution in Maryland
Range map adapted from Harris, 1975.
Links
http://herpnet.net/Minnesota-Herpetology/lizards/Six-lined_Racerunner.html