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5 Most Common Lizards in Texas: A Glimpse of the Lone Star State's Reptilian Residents

 

Texas, with its vast landscapes and diverse habitats, is home to a rich variety of wildlife. Among the state's most fascinating inhabitants are its lizards, which come in a range of colors, sizes, and behaviors. Let's take a closer look at five of the most commonly encountered lizards in Texas.

1. Texas Spiny Lizard (Sceloporus olivaceus)

  • Appearance: This lizard can range from 5 to 11 inches in length and has keeled scales with sharp points, hence the name 'spiny'. They are usually gray or brown with irregularly shaped blotches.
  • Habitat: They are primarily found in trees, shrubs, and fences in suburban and rural areas.
  • Diet: Their diet mainly consists of insects like ants, beetles, and caterpillars.

2. Green Anole (Anolis carolinensis)

  • Appearance: Often mistakenly referred to as "American chameleons" because of their ability to change colors (usually from green to brown), these lizards measure about 5 to 8 inches in length.
  • Habitat: Green anoles prefer wooded areas, gardens, and shrubs. They are highly arboreal and can often be found climbing vertically.
  • Diet: They are insectivores and often consume flies, beetles, and spiders.

3. Eastern Fence Lizard (Sceloporus undulatus)

  • Appearance: They are medium-sized lizards, typically around 4 to 7.25 inches long. They have rough scales and vary in color but generally have a pattern of dark, wavy lines on their backs.
  • Habitat: As the name suggests, you'll often find them on fences, but also on trees and rocks, usually in sunny areas.
  • Diet: They prey on ants, spiders, beetles, and other small insects.

4. Six-lined Racerunner (Aspidoscelis sexlineata)

  • Appearance: A sleek and fast lizard, it gets its name from the six distinct lines running down its back. They are usually around 6 to 11 inches in length.
  • Habitat: They prefer open areas with sparse vegetation, such as grasslands, sandy areas, or even roadsides.
  • Diet: They're carnivorous and consume a variety of insects including crickets, grasshoppers, and beetles.

5. Ground Skink (Scincella lateralis)

  • Appearance: The smallest on our list, ground skinks are usually only about 3 to 5.5 inches long. They have smooth, shiny, and copper-colored bodies with sleek tails.
  • Habitat: True to their name, they prefer the ground and are often found in leaf litter, under rocks, and in low vegetation.
  • Diet: Their diet consists of small insects like ants, termites, and beetles.

 Before you leave...here is a funny lizard video: