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.

From 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.

From Los Angeles Times

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.

From Seattle Times

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

From New York Times

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

From The Verge