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Texas Spiny Lizard
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- Order: Squamata (scaled reptiles)
- Suborder: Lacertilia (=Sauria) (lizards)
- Family: Iguanidae (iguanid lizards)
- Subfamily: Phrynosomatinae (spiny and horned
lizards)
- Genus: Sceloporus (fence and spiny
lizards)
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Also known as: swift,
fence lizard |
Scientific Name: Sceloporus
olivaceus Smith, 1934 |
Habitat: A variety of
environments, from desert to woodland; often found in brush piles,
along fences, and in/around human habitation. |
Skelos="leg," porus="pore"
(referring to femoral pores on the legs), olivaceus="olive
green in color"
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Length: This individual is
11 inches total length. |
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Food: Insects and
arachnids. |
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This is a large, solitary, female lizard who lived
on my roof in San Antonio under one of the eaves. I often
saw it in this location, though occasionally I saw it on the
ground. I have seen it out sunning itself in February
in 45-degree Fahrenheit temperatures! In May 2002, I pulled
into my driveway to find the lizard digging a nest in my flower
bed! It laid its eggs successfully and I caught it later
that night for close-up video and measurement. The picture
at right is a shot of the lizard after it had been working on the
nest, and was taking a break on the brick exterior of our
house. You can see dirt/mud on its face and claws. |
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This is a picture of the lizard
in its typical basking location on my roof. In the fall of
2002 I discovered a male Texas spiny lizard on my house, and I've
recently (spring 2003) seen both sharing the basking spot.
My friend also found a juvenile in my backyard, so the lizards are
apparently thriving around the neighborhood. |
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Down the road a mile to the east
there are numerous spiny lizards living in the trees and ground
cover lining the network of farm roads. Many of them get ran
over as they bask in the road! |
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