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.
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