The Texas spiny lizard (Sceloporus olivaceus) is a species of phrynosomatidlizard native to the south central United States, in the states of Texas, Arizona and Oklahoma, and northeastern Mexico in the states of Coahuila, Nuevo León, Tamaulipas, and San Luis Potosí. They are quite common throughout their range, where they can be found in trees or on fences.
Adults are 7.5–11 in (19–28 cm) in total length, and are typically grey in color with black, white, or red-brown blotching down the back. Patterns vary greatly by locality, but the colors and pattern typically serve to be adequate camouflage against the bark of trees in its chosen habitat. The underside is usually uniformly light grey in color, but males typically have blue patches on either side of the belly. Their scales have a distinctly spiny texture to them. They have long toes, and sharp claws suited to climbing
Reproductionedit
The Texas spiny lizard will breed throughout the summer months of the year, and is capable of laying four clutches each year if nutrients are plentiful.[1] Each clutch will contain around 20 eggs at a time, and on average the males will be larger after birth.
Texas Spiny Lizard camouflaged on a Mexican White Oak tree.
Behavioredit
Keeping a watchful eyeA Texas spiny lizard using a red oak tree for camouflage
The Texas spiny lizard is diurnal and arboreal. Their preferred habitat is mesquite trees, over areas with a significant amount of ground leaf litter, but they are often found in suburban areas basking on fences or climbing telephone poles.
Typically shy and nervous, when approached they will usually retreat up a tree or flee noisily through leaf litter on the ground. They are insectivorous, and eat a variety of beetles and other insects. Predators of the Texas spiny lizard include hawks, snakes, and some mammals, but it uses its camouflaged body to avoid detection.[2]
The male Texas spiny lizard also has a peculiar habit when challenged by another male for its territory. The two males will have a push-up contest, or so it seems. Both males will begin doing push-ups until one of them gives up and runs away.
Texas Spiny Lizard camouflaged on an ash tree.
In captivityedit
Though not normally found for sale outside of its native range, like most other Sceloporus species, the Texas spiny lizard makes an ideal choice for a small pet lizard. They are hardy, adapt easily to captivity, and readily consume commercially available crickets, though they do require specialized ultraviolet lighting.
Referencesedit
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sceloporus olivaceus.
^Fink, Alyssa (2015-05-01). "Are corridors effective? A genetic study of Texas Spiny Lizard populations in urban parks of San Antonio". Biology Honors Theses.
^Fitch, Henry S.; Blair, W. Frank (1960-12-30). "The Rusty Lizard, a Population Study". Copeia. 1960 (4): 386. doi:10.2307/1439792. hdl:2027/coo.31924002873473. ISSN 0045-8511.
BACKYARD BIODIVERSITY: Texas Spiny Lizard
May 02, 2024
texas, spiny, lizard, this, article, multiple, issues, please, help, improve, discuss, these, issues, talk, page, learn, when, remove, these, template, messages, this, article, needs, additional, citations, verification, please, help, improve, this, article, a. This article has multiple issues Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page Learn how and when to remove these template messages This article needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources Texas spiny lizard news newspapers books scholar JSTOR September 2021 Learn how and when to remove this message This article includes a list of general references but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations September 2021 Learn how and when to remove this message Learn how and when to remove this message The Texas spiny lizard Sceloporus olivaceus is a species of phrynosomatid lizard native to the south central United States in the states of Texas Arizona and Oklahoma and northeastern Mexico in the states of Coahuila Nuevo Leon Tamaulipas and San Luis Potosi They are quite common throughout their range where they can be found in trees or on fences Texas spiny lizard Sceloporus olivaceus in Texas Conservation status Least Concern IUCN 3 1 Scientific classification Domain Eukaryota Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Class Reptilia Order Squamata Suborder Iguania Family Phrynosomatidae Genus Sceloporus Species S olivaceus Binomial name Sceloporus olivaceusH M Smith 1934 Contents 1 Description 2 Reproduction 3 Behavior 4 In captivity 5 ReferencesDescription edit nbsp Belly of male showing blue color Adults are 7 5 11 in 19 28 cm in total length and are typically grey in color with black white or red brown blotching down the back Patterns vary greatly by locality but the colors and pattern typically serve to be adequate camouflage against the bark of trees in its chosen habitat The underside is usually uniformly light grey in color but males typically have blue patches on either side of the belly Their scales have a distinctly spiny texture to them They have long toes and sharp claws suited to climbingReproduction editThe Texas spiny lizard will breed throughout the summer months of the year and is capable of laying four clutches each year if nutrients are plentiful 1 Each clutch will contain around 20 eggs at a time and on average the males will be larger after birth nbsp Texas Spiny Lizard camouflaged on a Mexican White Oak tree Behavior edit nbsp Keeping a watchful eye nbsp A Texas spiny lizard using a red oak tree for camouflage The Texas spiny lizard is diurnal and arboreal Their preferred habitat is mesquite trees over areas with a significant amount of ground leaf litter but they are often found in suburban areas basking on fences or climbing telephone poles Typically shy and nervous when approached they will usually retreat up a tree or flee noisily through leaf litter on the ground They are insectivorous and eat a variety of beetles and other insects Predators of the Texas spiny lizard include hawks snakes and some mammals but it uses its camouflaged body to avoid detection 2 The male Texas spiny lizard also has a peculiar habit when challenged by another male for its territory The two males will have a push up contest or so it seems Both males will begin doing push ups until one of them gives up and runs away nbsp Texas Spiny Lizard camouflaged on an ash tree In captivity editThough not normally found for sale outside of its native range like most other Sceloporus species the Texas spiny lizard makes an ideal choice for a small pet lizard They are hardy adapt easily to captivity and readily consume commercially available crickets though they do require specialized ultraviolet lighting References edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sceloporus olivaceus Fink Alyssa 2015 05 01 Are corridors effective A genetic study of Texas Spiny Lizard populations in urban parks of San Antonio Biology Honors Theses Fitch Henry S Blair W Frank 1960 12 30 The Rusty Lizard a Population Study Copeia 1960 4 386 doi 10 2307 1439792 hdl 2027 coo 31924002873473 ISSN 0045 8511 BACKYARD BIODIVERSITY Texas Spiny Lizard Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Texas spiny lizard amp oldid 1192340371, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
