Squamata suborder
Sauria
Cnemidophorus sexlineatus -- Six-lined Racerunner
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Purple shade indicates vouchered specimens. Light blue (cyan)
shade indicates photographic records. Yellow shade indicates verified
sighting. Slanted hatch indicates pre-1980 records only
NOTE: Not all specimens upon which these maps are based have been verified.
Key Characters: Small smooth scales on back; eight rows of large rectangular scales on belly; tail usually longer than body.
Similar Species: Five-lined skink.
Subspecies: Six-lined racerunner, C. s. sexlineatus.
Description: A long (up to 20 cm TL), slender lizard with olive to brown back with six longitudinal stripes that may be white, light gray, yellow, or blue. Most stripes extend to the base of the tail. Belly is white and in male may be washed with blue. Juvenile is similar to adult but has a light blue tail.
Habitat: Sand prairies, hill prairies, and rocky open habitats.
Natural History: This alert and quick lizard is difficult to capture. Mating takes place in the spring and 3&endash;5 eggs are laid from early June to July. Hatching takes place in early August. Hatchlings average 3 cm TL. Prey include insects and snails. The main predators are snakes.
Status: Rare in the northern hill prairies but common in other parts of its range, especially the Shawnee Hills.