They are primarily found at elevations below 850m. Whiptail populations are closely associated with their principal food source, western subterranean termites, Reticulitermus hesperus, and the habitat that supports them. The whiptail relies on its striped color pattern for camouflage, which is particularly effective when the whiptail is motionless in the shade beneath overhead structure. Perennial shrub cover is important for adults, hatchlings, and juveniles. Preferred cover species include Eriogonum spp.
Females deposit their eggs in thick patches of annuals and grasses.
This cover type may afford the best protection for hatchlings or provide the structure that supports food of the appropriate size. Average home range size for adult males is 42m2 and 300m2 for adult females. Serious losses will occur in the Temecula Valley because of the conversion of potential habitat to single family residential use. However, there may be modest gains in the foothills of San Diego County as rural residential development expands, contingent upon a parallel increase in the termite population.