Texas is a vast landscape that serves as a convergence point for several distinct ecological zones, resulting in exceptional biodiversity. The state is a unique habitat for reptiles, especially lizards, with over 50 species and subspecies documented across its diverse regions. Environments range from the humid forests of East Texas to the arid deserts of the Trans-Pecos. Understanding the characteristics and distribution of these lizards is key to appreciating Texas’s rich natural heritage.
The Most Common Yard Lizards
The lizards most frequently encountered by Texans are those adapted to suburban and urban environments. The native Green Anole (Anolis carolinensis) is a small, slender lizard known for its ability to change color from bright green to brown, a shift triggered by temperature, light, and stress. Males display a bright pink throat fan, or dewlap, to court females and establish territory while perched high on fences or shrubbery.
Competition has intensified with the introduction of the invasive Brown Anole (Anolis sagrei), an aggressive species originating from Cuba and the Bahamas. The Brown Anole tends to stay closer to the ground on walls and flower beds and is always some shade of brown or gray, never turning green. Male Brown Anoles display a reddish-orange dewlap, and their presence often displaces the native Green Anole to higher perches.
Another common sight is the Texas Spiny Lizard (Sceloporus olivaceus), a larger species reaching up to 11 inches in total length. This lizard is easily identified by its rough, spiny scales and its tendency to bask on tree trunks, utility poles, or wooden fences throughout Central and South Texas. Males exhibit distinctive blue patches on their bellies, which become brighter during the breeding season.
The Mediterranean House Gecko (Hemidactylus turcicus) is an invasive but ubiquitous species that thrives near human dwellings. These small, light-colored geckos have soft, warty skin and large, lidless eyes with vertical pupils, unlike native Texas lizards. They are nocturnal and are often spotted near exterior lights, using their sticky toe pads to cling to walls and windowsills while hunting insects.
Iconic and Protected Texas Species
The Texas Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma cornutum) has been designated the official State Reptile. This flat-bodied lizard is often called a “horny toad” due to its squat appearance and crown of prominent, spiky horns. Its coloration, typically tan, gray, and reddish-brown, provides excellent camouflage on sandy or gravelly soils.
The Horned Lizard possesses defensive behaviors, including inflating its body to appear larger and squirting a stream of blood from ducts in its eyes at predators. Its diet consists almost entirely of harvester ants (Pogonomyrmex species), which it eats in large quantities. The sharp spines on its head and body help protect it from the painful stings of its primary prey.
Despite its iconic status, the Texas Horned Lizard has disappeared from nearly half of its historical range due to habitat loss and the introduction of non-native fire ants. The widespread use of pesticides to control fire ants inadvertently eliminates the Horned Lizard’s essential food source. Because of its significant decline, the species is classified as threatened within Texas.
The Eastern Collared Lizard (Crotaphytus collaris) is a large, brightly colored lizard found in the rocky, open habitats of West and Central Texas. This species is named for the two distinct black bands that encircle its neck. When threatened, the collared lizard can rear up and run exclusively on its hind legs, using its tail for balance.
Lizards of the Arid and Western Regions
The dry landscapes of West Texas, including the Trans-Pecos and Chihuahuan Desert, are home to specialized lizards adapted to extreme heat and sparse vegetation. Whiptail lizards (Aspidoscelis species) are characterized by their long, slender bodies and exceptionally fast, erratic movements, often darting between patches of shade and cover. Many species of whiptails are seen foraging actively during the hottest parts of the day.
A unique biological phenomenon occurs in several Texas whiptail species, such as the Laredo Striped Whiptail (Aspidoscelis laredoensis) and the Desert Grassland Whiptail (Aspidoscelis uniparens). These populations are entirely female and reproduce through parthenogenesis, meaning they lay eggs that develop into clones of the mother without fertilization by a male. This adaptation allows them to thrive in environments where finding a mate may be difficult.
The Greater Earless Lizard (Cophosaurus texanus) is another resident of the rocky, arid western terrain, notable for its lack of external ear openings. This feature is thought to be an adaptation that helps prevent sand and debris from entering the ear canal while burrowing or moving through loose soil. Males of this species display vibrant pink and green markings during the breeding season.
Broad-headed Skinks (Plestiodon laticeps) are among the largest skink species in the state, reaching lengths of up to 13 inches, and are more common in the wooded areas of East Texas. Adult males develop a noticeably swollen, reddish-orange head during the breeding season, which gives the species its name. Juveniles and females are often identified by five light-colored stripes running down a dark body, including a conspicuous blue tail that distracts predators.
Safety, Legality, and Interaction
No native lizard species in Texas is venomous or poses a threat to humans or pets. The only venomous lizards known in North America, the Gila Monster and the Beaded Lizard, are not naturally found within Texas boundaries. Though lizards may bite if improperly handled, the most common lizards encountered are harmless insectivores.
Texas law protects certain species, most notably the Texas Horned Lizard, and it is strictly illegal to collect, harm, or keep them as pets. Observing these animals in their natural habitat is encouraged, but any interaction should be hands-off to respect their protected status and conservation needs. The use of pesticides in yards, especially those targeting ants, should be minimized, as this inadvertently destroys the food supply for species like the Horned Lizard.
The state also faces challenges from non-native species, such as the Argentine Black and White Tegu (Salvator merianae), a large, omnivorous lizard. Established populations present a potential threat to native wildlife, including ground-nesting birds and eggs. Sightings of these large, black and white patterned lizards should be reported to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to help monitor and control their spread.