Northern Mexico, Arizona, New Mexico, West Texas, Western Oklahoma, and Colorado. Mexico and U.S.A. 22 named species. C. burti 12. C. gularis 13. C. septemvittatus 14.
All whiptail species employ essentially the same feeding strategy.
Most dry-climate lizards spend the majority of their active time stationary, waiting for prey to come within range. Prey is usually detected visually. Prey may be detected visually or by smell. This strategy is known as widely ranging predation. Whiptails divide their foraging time between open areas in full sun and the shade beneath bushes according to their temperature requirements.