Texas spiny lizard
| Texas spiny lizard | |
|---|---|
_(31037017).jpg) | |
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| Sceloporus olivaceus in Texas | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Iguania |
| Family: | Phrynosomatidae |
| Genus: | Sceloporus |
| Species: | S. olivaceus |
| Binomial name | |
| Sceloporus olivaceus H.M. Smith, 1934 | |
The Texas spiny lizard (Sceloporus olivaceus) is a species of phrynosomatid lizard native to the south central United States, in the states of Texas, Arizona and Oklahoma, and northeastern Mexico in the states of Coahuila, Nuevo León, Tamaulipas, and San Luis Potosí.[1] They are quite common throughout their range, where they can be found in trees or on fences.[2]
Description
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Adults are 7.5–11 in (19–28 cm) in total length,[3][4] and are typically grey in color with black, white, or red-brown blotching down the back.[2] Patterns vary greatly by locality, but the colors and pattern typically serve to be adequate camouflage against the bark of trees in its chosen habitat.[2] The underside is usually uniformly light grey in color, but males typically have blue patches on either side of the belly.[2][3] Adult males are also larger on average.[2] The lizards' scales have a distinctly spiny texture to them. They have long toes, and sharp claws suited to climbing.[2]
Reproduction
[edit]The Texas spiny lizard will breed throughout the summer months of the year, and is capable of laying four clutches each year if nutrients are plentiful.[5][6] Each clutch will contain 2 to 20 eggs at a time.[2][5]
Behavior
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The Texas spiny lizard is diurnal and arboreal. Their preferred habitat is mesquite or oak trees[2] and areas with a significant amount of ground leaf litter.[7] They are often found in suburban areas basking on fences or climbing telephone poles.
Typically shy and nervous, when approached they will usually retreat up a tree or flee noisily through leaf litter on the ground.[2] They are insectivorous, and eat a variety of beetles, grasshoppers, wasps and other insects.[8][9][10] Predators of the Texas spiny lizard include hawks, roadrunners, snakes, and outdoor house cats,[2][7][11] but the lizard uses its camouflaged body to avoid detection.[12]
To establish dominance for mating territory, male lizards may perform "push-up" displays when they observe each other,[8] whereby they bob the anterior of their body up and down.[2][11] Males may also compete physically if these visual displays are not enough to deter competitors.[13]
References
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- ↑ "Sceloporus olivaceus". The Reptile Database. Retrieved 2026-08-01.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "Sceloporus olivaceus (Texas Spiny Lizard)". Animal Diversity Web. University of Michigan. Retrieved 2026-08-01.
- 1 2 Rio, Mailing Address: 10477 Highway 90 West Del; Us, TX 78840 Phone:775-7491 Contact. "Field Guide to Reptiles - Amistad National Recreation Area (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2026-08-01.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ↑ Conant, Roger; Collins, Joseph T. (1998). A Field Guide to Reptiles & Amphibians: Eastern and Central North America. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. ISBN 978-0-395-90452-7.
- 1 2 "BACKYARD BIODIVERSITY: Texas Spiny Lizard | Biodiversity Center". biodiversity.utexas.edu. Retrieved 2026-08-01.
- ↑ Fink, Alyssa (2015-05-01). "Are corridors effective? A genetic study of Texas Spiny Lizard populations in urban parks of San Antonio". Biology Honors Theses.
- 1 2 "Texas Spiny Lizard – Rio Grande Valley Chapter". rgvctmn.org. Retrieved 2026-08-01.
- 1 2 Dishon, Sydney (March 10, 2024). "'You might even see them do a little push-up' | What to know about the Texas spiny lizard". KCENTV.
- ↑ Guzman, By René (2020-12-22). "Texas spiny lizard a master of disguise with real spunk". San Antonio Express-News. Retrieved 2026-08-01.
- ↑ Price, Michael. "Wild About Texas: Twin-spotted Spiny Lizards are wary, often hidden". Standard-Times. Retrieved 2026-08-01.
- 1 2 "Texas Spiny Lizard (Sceloporus olivaceus) — National Wildlife Foundation". nwlfd.org. 2026-05-31. Retrieved 2026-08-01.
- ↑ Fitch, Henry S.; Blair, W. Frank (1960-12-30). "The Rusty Lizard, a Population Study". Copeia. 1960 (4): 386. doi:10.2307/1439792. hdl:2027/coo.31924002873473. ISSN 0045-8511. JSTOR 1439792.
- ↑ "Sceloporus olivaceus". Animal Diversity Web. Retrieved 12 September 2024.