Texas is home to over 60 different lizard species. These reptiles thrive in Texas’s varied ecosystems, from arid deserts to lush forests. This variety highlights the state’s rich biodiversity. Lizards play an important role in these ecosystems, helping to control insect populations and serving as a food source for other animals.
Common Texas Lizards
Several common Texas lizard species are notable for their distinct characteristics. The Texas Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma cornutum), often called a “horny toad,” is recognizable by its flat, broad body and prominent crown of spines. They measure 3.5 to 5 inches and are beige, brown, or gray, providing camouflage in arid habitats. They primarily consume ants, termites, beetles, and grasshoppers. They possess a unique defense mechanism, capable of squirting blood from their eyes to deter predators.
The Green Anole (Anolis carolinensis) is known for its ability to change color from bright green to gray or brown, adapting to its surroundings. These slender lizards have narrow heads and long tails, often twice the length of their bodies. Male Green Anoles display a pink or reddish dewlap, a flap of skin under their throat, used for courtship and territorial displays. Green Anoles are found on fences, walls, bushes, and trees, especially in green environments.
Eight native skink species are prevalent in Texas. These small lizards have smooth, glossy scales and short legs, giving them a snake-like appearance as they move through leaf litter. Many juvenile skinks, such as the Five-lined Skink (Plestiodon fasciatus), have bright blue tails that fade with age. Adult Five-lined Skinks reach up to 8.5 inches and are black, brown, or gray with five white stripes.
Whiptail lizards, including the Six-lined Racerunner (Aspidoscelis sexlineatus), are slender, active foragers known for speed. They have long, pointed snouts and often display stripes along their bodies. Six-lined Racerunners are dark green, brown, or black, measuring over 10 inches, and are found in various open habitats. Their quick movements and agility allow them to dart for cover if approached, making them challenging to observe closely.
The Texas Spiny Lizard (Sceloporus olivaceus) is commonly observed on trees or fences. These lizards have spiny scales and long toes with sharp claws, aiding their arboreal lifestyle. Adults measure 7.5 to 11 inches and are gray with black, white, or reddish-brown blotching for camouflage against tree bark. Male Texas Spiny Lizards often have blue patches on their bellies.
Texas Lizard Habitats
Texas’s varied geography creates a range of habitats supporting diverse lizard populations. The arid western regions, with deserts and semi-arid plains, are ideal for species like the Texas Horned Lizard. These lizards prefer open areas with sparse plant cover and loose soils for burrowing to escape heat and predators. Many desert-dwelling lizards have adapted specialized skin to absorb moisture from sand and dew.
Central Texas grasslands and savannas, including the Edwards Plateau, offer different environments. Lizards like the Six-lined Racerunner thrive in these open habitats, which may include moderate grass or shrub cover. These fast-moving lizards are often found along unpaved roads and trails, where they can actively forage for insects. The presence of rocks and other ground cover provides shelter and basking spots.
East Texas features humid, wooded areas, including pine forests and longleaf pine savannas. Here, species like the Green Anole and various skinks are common. Green Anoles inhabit trees, shrubs, walls, and fences, preferring moist environments with ample greenery for camouflage. Skinks, with their smooth scales, are often found in leaf litter and under logs, where moisture is more readily available.
Urban and suburban areas across Texas host lizard species adapted to human-modified landscapes. Lizards like the Texas Spiny Lizard are commonly seen on fences, building walls, and telephone poles, utilizing these structures for basking and hunting insects. While some specialized species, such as the Texas Horned Lizard, face challenges in urban environments due to habitat loss and invasive species, more generalized species adapt and thrive. Lizards in these areas often find shelter in gardens, under debris, and within man-made structures.