Ctenotus pantherinus

They are a brown/grey lizard with a tail almost equal to its body length, with short, four stubby legs of similar length, ending in clawed feet with five digits. Yellow/white spots with a black/brown outline begin behind the head and extend to the tip of the tail. Some adult leopard ctenotus have white/yellow stripes on the side of the tail, starting at the hind leg. The underbelly is a pale white/yellow colour.^[4][5]

Leopard ctenotus are one of the largest and fastest growing ctenotus species in Australia. They grow more during winter than other ctenotus species and are active during all seasons. Males tend to grow at a slightly faster rate than females, and juveniles born in autumn grow faster over winter than those born in the summer months.^[6][7]

Ctenotus pantherinus is endemic to Australia and has been found in the semi- arid and arid regions of Western Australia, Northern Territory, Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia.

Ctenotus pantherinus inhabits semi-arid and arid regions of Australia which are usually sandy and stony areas high in Spinifex grasses. Hatchlings are 33mm long and can grow up to 86mm (snout to vent length) as a mature adult.

Ctenotus pantherinus are insectivores, their diet almost entirely consists of consuming termites and their larvae.^[8]

The leopard ctenotus is a species of lizard, which belongs to the genus Ctenotus.^{[citation needed]} Ctenotus are in the family Scincidae, which contains more than 1,500 described species, making the Scincidae family one of the most diverse lizard families on Earth.^{[citation needed]}

Ctenotus pantherinus has four subspecies:

• Ctenotus pantherinus pantherinus
• C. p. acripes
• C. p. calx
• C. p. ocellifer