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Definition of whiptail lizard
whiptail lizard
Plural:whiptail lizards
whiptail lizard Lexical Profile
CEFR
C1
Grade
8
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
North American Any of various fast-moving New World lizards of the family Teiidae, characterized by their long, slender, whip-like tails. Several species within this group are famous in biology for reproducing entirely through parthenogenesis, consisting solely of female populations.
Example
"The biologist observed a New Mexico whiptail lizard darting rapidly across the hot desert sand."
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived from the physical appearance of the lizard's long, slender, tapering tail, which resembles a whip. These lizards belong to the family Teiidae and are native to the Americas.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Whiptail lizard. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 12, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/whiptail lizard