Why is loose soil or sandy substrate highly beneficial for many whiptail species?
Answer
It aids in rapid burrowing when disturbed or escaping heat.
Soil substrate acts as a significant determinant for the location of many whiptail species, including the Plateau-striped Whiptail. The preference leans heavily towards areas possessing loose soil or sandy substrates. This characteristic is functionally important because it facilitates rapid and efficient burrowing when the lizard is disturbed by a potential predator or needs to escape excessive thermal stress during the midday peaks. If the ground is too hard-packed or covered entirely by a dense mat of vegetation, the likelihood of finding a whiptail decreases substantially, regardless of optimal temperatures.
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