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Glite Dictionary
Callisaurus

Callisaurus

9.9
A small lizard with black and white tail bands that lives in dry areas of the southwestern US and Mexico
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Callisaurus
  • The Callisaurus is easily recognized by the black and white bands on its tail.

Examples

  • Researchers observed the Callisaurus basking on rocks in the desert sun.

  • Many herpetologists study Callisaurus to understand its unique escape behaviors.

  • The Callisaurus is known for its distinctive stripes.

  • Did you see a Callisaurus in the desert?

  • Researchers observed the Callisaurus basking on rocks in the desert sun.

  • The Callisaurus is easily recognized by the black and white bands on its tail.

  • Many herpetologists study Callisaurus to understand its unique escape behaviors.

Synonyms

zebra-tailed lizard
vsCallisaurus
  • US
9.4

A fast desert lizard with a long black-banded tail and long legs

is the genus name for these desert lizards rather than a species description
gridiron-tailed lizard
vsCallisaurus
  • US
9.9

A fast desert lizard with a long black-banded tail that lives in the United States and Mexico

is the genus name grouping such desert lizards not just a physical description

Compounds

Callisaurus draconoides
  • Specialized
9.9

A fast, long-legged desert lizard with a black-banded tail from the southwest United States and Mexico

Surface Forms

Callisaurus singular
Callisaurus plural

Etymology

Callisaurus comes from Greek roots kallos 'beauty' and sauros 'lizard', so the name means 'beautiful lizard'. That's an easy memory: the zebra-tailed Callisaurus has clear black-and-white bands on its tail, so the old words match the animal we see today.