There are a wide variety of lizard-friendly habitats found in Texas with plenty of anoles, geckos, iguanas, horned, whiptails, skinks, and leopards. In the eastern and western thirds of Texas, the Texas spiny lizard is the most common lizard.
The Texas spiny lizard is arboreal, which means it spends most of its time in trees. However, you’ll also find them basking in the sun on surfaces such as high walls and stones. They can grow as large as 11 inches with spiny scales and sharp claws suited to climbing. The male is dark in color with blue patches on each side of the belly, while the females are paler in comparison and lack the side colorings.
Whiptail Lizards are also commonly found in Texas. From the Teiidae family, they include Chihuahuan spotted whiptail, Texas spotted whiptail, Trans-Pecos striped whiptail, Laredo striped whiptail, New Mexico whiptail, checkered whiptail, and desert grassland whiptail. The most common, Texas spotted whiptail males have a red-colored throat with a blue belly and black and blue patches on the chest while the females only have a blue throat. They are typically tan-brown to green-brown with stripes of grey or white that run along the body. They can grow to 11 inches.
As a Texan, you’ve probably seen your fair share of lizards scurrying around your backyard or local parks. Texas is home to over 80 lizard species due to its diverse habitats ranging from swamps and forests to deserts and rocky canyons. While some lizards like the Texas horned lizard and Texas spiny lizard are Texas natives, others like the Mediterranean house gecko are introduced species.
If you are wondering what those little reptiles crawling around your yard are here is a guide covering the 10 most common lizards in Texas that you are likely to come across
1. Green Anole
The green anole (Anolis carolinensis) is a small common lizard in Texas that can reach up to 8 inches (20 cm) long. Males have a bright red dewlap under their chin that they display when threatened or to attract mates. These lizards are able to change color from green to brown to blend into their surroundings. They love gardens, forests, and trees.
2. Texas Spiny Lizard
Growing up to 11 inches (28 cm), the Texas spiny lizard (Sceloporus olivaceus) is a native lizard with light gray skin and black, red, or white patches on its back. It prefers habitats with plenty of trees and leaf litter where it can hide This nervous lizard will quickly scurry up a tree when approached
3. Mediterranean House Gecko
The Mediterranean house gecko (Hemidactylus turcicus) is a nocturnal house invader in Texas This small tan lizard with dark spots can lose its tail when threatened. It makes a faint clicking sound and is often seen clinging to walls and ceilings eating insects near lights at night
4. Brown Anole
The brown anole (Anolis sagrei) is an introduced species from Cuba and islands in the Caribbean. It is light brown with a dark brown stripe and can change from brown to black. Males have a large orange dewlap. They thrive in warm climates and are common in gardens and landscaping.
5. Texas Horned Lizard
The Texas horned lizard (Phrynosoma cornutum) is a true Texas native. This iconic lizard has camouflage coloring and spiky “horns” on its head. It’s docile and often seen basking on roads and trails. This threatened species prefers ants for food and open arid habitats with sparse vegetation.
6. Six-lined Racerunner
The six-lined racerunner (Aspidoscelis sexlineata) is a long slender lizard with six yellowish racing stripes down its body. A wary lizard, it’s incredibly fast and will zip away if approached. It prefers dry, open habitats like grasslands, plains, and semi-arid areas.
7. Texas Alligator Lizard
Despite its name, the Texas alligator lizard (Gerrhonotus infernalis) isn’t an alligator but a medium-sized lizard reaching up to 25 inches (64 cm). It has a broad triangular head and a brown body with dark blotches. This docile lizard enjoys hiding under objects in rocky habitats.
8. Eastern Fence Lizard
The eastern fence lizard (Sceloporus undulatus), also known as the prairie lizard, is a small common backyard lizard in Texas. Its color varies from gray to brown with light stripes on its back. It’s very adept at climbing fences, walls, and trees when disturbed.
9. Ornate Tree Lizard
Male ornate tree lizards (Urosaurus ornatus) have vibrant blue, orange, or green patches on their bodies, while females are plain brown. These arboreal lizards prefer trees and are common in woodland areas. They flatten bodies to blend into bark and have prehensile tails.
10. Common Side-blotched Lizard
The common side-blotched lizard (Uta stansburiana) is a small lizard with a distinct brown blotch on its sides. It inhabits a variety of habitats from deserts to rocky hillsides. The males are more colorful with blue scales on their undersides. This ground dweller hides under vegetation and rocks.
Texas has an impressive diversity of lizards occupying all kinds of niches. Now that you know some of the most common species, you can start identifying those little reptiles dashing around your yard and neighborhood! Just remember to admire them from a distance, as many lizards don’t like being handled.
What kind of geckos live in Texas?
Texas-Banded geckos and Reticulated geckos are native species of Texas. Rough tailed geckos, Mediterranean house geckos, and Common Asian house geckos are not native but have been introduced into the area and are now the most commonly found geckos in Texas.
Mediterranean geckos can grow to four to five inches. These geckos are of light color with dark patches on their body surface with a rounded snout and bump on the upper surface of their body. The tail of the Mediterranean gecko is round and slightly tapered at the ends with banded brown stripes.
House geckos are three to six inches with an elongated snout with tails tapering toward the ends. The body color of house geckos varies from pinkish to greyish and may have dark patches on the upper surface of the body. The underside of these geckos is of creamy color.
Is a Horned Toad the same as Spiny Lizard?
Made famous as the mascot for Texas Christian University (TCU), there is no such thing as a horned frog or a horned toad. These are common (yet incorrect) names for the horned lizard which also represents Texas as the state reptile. The Texas horned lizard is a flat-bodied and fierce-looking lizard with multiple horns or spines protruding from the head. The horned toad is considered a threatened species so it cannot be captured or kept as a pet.
The Texas Spiny Lizard: A Garden Friend
FAQ
What is the most common lizard in Texas?
Common lizards in the San Antonio area include the Green Anole, Rosebelly Lizard, Texas Spiny Lizard, Texas Alligator Lizard, Common Spotted Whiptail, and Ground Skink. CAN YOU NAME ONE OF THESE LIZARDS THAT CAN CHANGE THE COLOR OF ITS SKIN TO BROWN? Like many birds and mammals, reptiles are predators.
What are the little brown lizards in Texas?
The brown anole, Anolis sagrei, is a small brown or gray lizard that is about 5 to 9 inches in total length. Males usually weight twice as much as females (8 grams vs. 4 grams). The coloration in males can even become black.
Are lizards okay around the house?
In summary, having a lizard in your room is generally not dangerous, especially if it’s a pet species. However, it’s wise to be cautious and informed about the specific type of lizard and to maintain good hygiene practices.
Are there any poisonous lizards in Texas?
Several poisonous snakes call Texas home but there are no poisonous lizards commonly found in Texas. The Gila Monster and Beaded lizards are only the known species of poisonous lizards. They have been found in desert regions of the southwestern United States but are more common in Mexico and Central America.