Reptile · GBIF taxon 2451154
Texas Spiny Lizard
Sceloporus olivaceusAlso known as Texas Tree Lizard, Spiny Fence Lizard
Texas spiny lizards are excellent climbers that spend much of their lives high on tree trunks, fence posts, and wooden structures. Their rough, keeled scales provide perfect camouflage against bark, allowing them to ambush passing insects while evading aerial predators. When startled, they dart swiftly up the nearest trunk, making a loud skittering noise against the bark as they flee.
ArborealReptileCamouflaged
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Beetles
- Ants
- Grasshoppers
Predators
- Hawks
- Snakes
- Domestic cats
ThreatsHabitat loss, urban sprawl, domestic cats, pesticide use
HabitatsOak-juniper woodlands, mesquite brushlands, suburban gardens, wooden fences
Life span4–7 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyPhrynosomatidae
- GenusSceloporus
- SpeciesSceloporus olivaceus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Tree Trunk Scanning: Look closely at mature oak and mesquite trunks for grey patterns that move suddenly.
- Listen for Rustling: Pay attention to skittering sounds on dry wooden fences or tree bark on sunny mornings.
- Keep Distance: Watch quietly from a few meters away to avoid triggering their vertical escape response.
Frequent Companion (c) Robert Michniewicz (edited by Ark), some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Predator (c) Joshua Tree National Park, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative SchloughM / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
Close Relative Kaldari / Public domain · cc0
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