Texas Spiny Lizard

The Texas spiny lizard is a small reptile native to Mexico and the south-central region of the United States.

It prefers to live in mesquite trees and lowland areas that have heavy ground leaf cover. The spiny lizard is a common visitor to backyards and fences in Oklahoma, Texas, and Arizona. With a slender body and long tail, this spiny visitor helps people keep bugs out of their yards and homes.

4 Fun Facts About the Texas Spiny Lizard!

• Male spiny lizards compete by doing push-ups.
• Spiny lizard hatchlings can fend for themselves at birth.
• The Texas spiny lizard’s preferred habitat is a mesquite tree.
• If they lose their tails, they can regrow them.

Scientific Name and Species

The scientific name of the Texas spiny lizard is Sceloporus olivaceus. There are 10 species of Texas spiny lizard that have adapted to a variety of habitats:

• Twin-spotted spiny lizard – lives near thickets, rock formations, or old buildings in a semi-arid desert environment.
• Texas alligator lizard – this slow-moving lizard looks like an alligator.
• Sagebrush lizard – you may only catch a glimpse of this nervous lizard before it darts away to hide.
• Dunes Sagebrush lizard – this little lizard has the most particular habitat requirement – it only lives in a small area of dunes created by shinnery oak trees.
• Greater short-horned lizard – these lizards love to eat ants and the occasional grasshopper.
• Rose-bellied lizard – this tiny lizard grows up to two inches long and can be found on fenceposts or cacti in the desert.
• Texas banded gecko – these small lizards are about four inches long with bands of yellow, brown, and black. They like to hide in rocks during the day.
• Sceloporus consobrinus – this lizard can grow up to 7.5 inches long from snout to vent.
• Reticulate collared lizard – this brown and tan lizard has a yellowish tint that forms a fishnet pattern on its body.
• Lesser earless lizard – this lizard does have ears – they just don’t have external openings enabling it to burrow in the sand.

Evolution

All reptiles came from the same ancestors during the Carboniferous Period, 300 – 350 million years ago. Hylonomus, the oldest known fossil of a reptile, is believed to be 315 million years old. There are lizards all over the world that have adapted to habitats that are as varied as the thousands of species within this family.

Appearance

The Texas spiny lizard has large, clearly defined scales. It is usually a dark gray color with a light grey belly. It has long toes ending in sharp claws that are ideal for its life among the trees. The spiny lizard enjoys climbing trees and digging into rotted wood, so those claws come in handy.

Male and female spiny lizards look alike, with a few differences in colors. Males have small blue patches on their bellies that females don’t have.

Identification of a Texas spiny lizard

Since there are many lizards in the Southeastern U.S. and Mexico, use these clues for the identification of a spiny lizard:

• Length of 8 to 12 inches
• Black, white, or red colors on the back
• Gray underside
• Blue patches on males

Behavior

Texas spiny lizards are diurnal hunters who spend most of their time in trees or hiding in leaf litter. During hot daylight hours, they often come out to bask in the sunshine on tree branches or fence posts. That’s why some people call them “tree lizards” or “fence lizards.”

They are shy and elusive, and it can be hard to see them. If a large animal enters their territory, they are more likely to run and hide than fight.

Male spiny lizards are territorial and will fight with other males for territory and females. When they fight, they square off against each other and compete by doing push-ups. Both males will do push-ups until one gives up and runs away.

Spiny lizards often use their tails to defend themselves from predators. If the predator grabs the tail, the tail will detach from the lizard’s body. This is a defensive mechanism known as automatization. The tail distracts the predator, and this gives the lizard time to run to safety. Later, the lizard will grow a new tail.

Male vs female fighting does not occur among spiny lizards.

Hibernation

Texas spiny lizards hibernate in the winter. They begin their hibernation during the cold winter months. They use leaf litter and other ground covers to hide until the weather gets warm again. Many gardeners take advantage of this by placing leaf litter in their gardens to encourage spiny lizard hibernation. In the spring, the hungry lizards get busy eating insects in the garden.

Behavior around humans

Texas spiny lizards are a favorite among many Texans and others who appreciate their cute behavior and ability to gobble up insect pests. They do not bite and are not poisonous.

Habitat

These lizards spend most of their time in trees. They prefer mesquite trees but will take up residence in any type of scrub vegetation. They look for areas with plenty of leaf litter, which supplies cover and a fertile hunting ground for insects. Typically, they can be found in shrubland, forests, and other areas with dense tree growth.

Their colors allow them to camouflage themselves against tree bark and leaf litter. These lizards prefer tropical, temperate climates with plenty of sunshine.

Diet

Texas Spiny Lizards are carnivores that largely feed on small insects. They eat beetles, wasps, grasshoppers, and crickets.

Predators and Threats

Like most lizards, these lizards can be prey for snakes, weasels, raptors, and larger lizards. The Texas spiny lizard does not face any current threats. It is a common lizard that has a healthy, stable population.

Reproduction and Life Cycle

The spiny lizard’s breeding season happens during spring and summer. A female can have up to four clutches every year. Each clutch has from 4 to 20 eggs.

Gestation takes 90 to 100 days. When she’s ready to have the babies, she chooses a warm, dry spot in the ground. Once she chooses the right spot, she digs a small hole in the ground and backs up into it. She lays the eggs and covers them with soil.

The incubation period takes 43 to 83 days. The female does not return to the nest after depositing the eggs.

Young spiny lizard hatchlings are precocial, which means they are fully developed and able to live independently. They are 2 to 3 inches long at birth.

They have a lifespan of 2 to 5 years in the wild. Their lifespan in captivity is about 7 years.

Conservation Status

These lizards are listed as “least concern” by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The exact population numbers of the spiny lizard are unknown, but the population is considered stable and healthy.

Enjoy These Sun-Loving Visitors!

These lizards are common visitors to trees, forests, and gardens. If you’re lucky, you may be able to watch a push-up competition right in your backyard.