What habitat structure does the Texas Spotted Whiptail (*A. sexlineata*) prefer over completely bare sand?
Answer
Brushy areas with denser grasses or low shrubs
The Texas Spotted Whiptail (*Aspidoscelis sexlineata*) exhibits habitat preferences distinct from those species confined to deep deserts. Its range in South Texas, including the Rio Grande Valley, is associated with environments that possess a different vegetation structure than Arizona's deep deserts. Specifically, this species seems better suited to areas where the ground cover includes denser grasses or low shrubs, providing quick cover from potential overhead threats. While they still need open patches for basking and foraging, the presence of underbrush structure seems critical to their survival strategy in the South Texas Plains.
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