~Texas Spiny Lizard~
Texas Spiny Lizard (Sceloporus olivaceus)
I can't believe I've never posted a photo of one of our native lizards. During summer months, or in the spring or winter on really sunny days, these guys can be found sunning themselves on fences or rock ledges. This one was enjoying a warm fall day ~ basking on a rock fence ~ and yes he was keeping an eye on me to see if I was going to get any closer. They are fairly tame, meaning they don't typically run away from you until you decide to try to catch one. They are amazingly passive if you do catch one ~ I've never seen one bite ~ or even threaten to bite anyone.
The Texas Spiny Lizard ( or Spiny Lizard ~ we have a bad habit of putting the word Texas in front of any species of plant or animal that happens to live in our state ) is a species of phrynosomatid lizard (meaning they are adept at living in hot dry climates) native to the south central United States, in the states of Texas and Oklahoma, and northeastern Mexico in the states of Coahuila, Nuevo León, Tamaulipas, and San Luis Potosí. They are quite common throughout their range, they can be found in trees or on fences (or rocks).
Texas spiny lizards are 8 - 12 inches in length, and are typically grey in color with black, white, or red-brown blotching down the back. 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. The underside is usually uniformly light grey in color, but males typically have blue patches on either side of their belly. Their scales have a distinctly spiny texture to them. They have long toes, and sharp claws suited to climbing.
The Texas Spiny Lizard is diurnal and arboreal (come out in the day and have no trouble climbing trees). Their preferred habitat is in trees, over areas with a significant amount of ground leaf litter. They are insectivorous, and eat a variety of beetles and other insects. Breeding occurs throughout the spring and summer months, and clutches of eggs can be laid as many as four times a year.
~Texas Spiny Lizard~
Texas Spiny Lizard (Sceloporus olivaceus)
I can't believe I've never posted a photo of one of our native lizards. During summer months, or in the spring or winter on really sunny days, these guys can be found sunning themselves on fences or rock ledges. This one was enjoying a warm fall day ~ basking on a rock fence ~ and yes he was keeping an eye on me to see if I was going to get any closer. They are fairly tame, meaning they don't typically run away from you until you decide to try to catch one. They are amazingly passive if you do catch one ~ I've never seen one bite ~ or even threaten to bite anyone.
The Texas Spiny Lizard ( or Spiny Lizard ~ we have a bad habit of putting the word Texas in front of any species of plant or animal that happens to live in our state ) is a species of phrynosomatid lizard (meaning they are adept at living in hot dry climates) native to the south central United States, in the states of Texas and Oklahoma, and northeastern Mexico in the states of Coahuila, Nuevo León, Tamaulipas, and San Luis Potosí. They are quite common throughout their range, they can be found in trees or on fences (or rocks).
Texas spiny lizards are 8 - 12 inches in length, and are typically grey in color with black, white, or red-brown blotching down the back. 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. The underside is usually uniformly light grey in color, but males typically have blue patches on either side of their belly. Their scales have a distinctly spiny texture to them. They have long toes, and sharp claws suited to climbing.
The Texas Spiny Lizard is diurnal and arboreal (come out in the day and have no trouble climbing trees). Their preferred habitat is in trees, over areas with a significant amount of ground leaf litter. They are insectivorous, and eat a variety of beetles and other insects. Breeding occurs throughout the spring and summer months, and clutches of eggs can be laid as many as four times a year.