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| Texas Alligator Lizard, Gerrhonotus infernalis |
Various beliefs, myths, and legends have been inspired by the behavioral patterns of lizards. In ancient Egypt and Greece the lizard represented divine wisdom and good fortune, in Roman mythology their hibernation symbolized death and resurrection, and in Australia the aboriginal believed that the sky would fall if you killed one. Today, these ideas largely do not hold true, but lizards seem to fascinate us nonetheless! While Central Texas is home to several species of lizards, geckos, anoles, skinks, and whiptails, those most likely (and interesting) to be seen are the Texas Spiny Lizard, the Green or Carolina Anole, and the Texas Alligator Lizard.
Primarily arboreal but preferring basking surfaces such as fence posts and rock walls, the Texas Spiny Lizard (Sceloporus olivaceus) is quite common in all but the eastern and western thirds of Texas. A large spiny lizard up to 11 inches long, it is grayish to olive brown with up to nine dark wavy bars spaced along its back, which gives it a very scaly appearance. Males have a narrow bright blue patch on each side of the belly, and while the females lack this coloration, they are slightly larger and paler than the males. An ambush predator, they feed on a variety of insects found on the ground in open areas or up in trees in wooded areas. Breeding occurs in the spring and summer, and mature females may lay several egg clutches per year.
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| Texas Spiny Lizard, Sceloporus olivaceus |
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| Texas Spiny Lizard, Sceloporus olivaceus |
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| Green Anole, Anolis carolinensis |
Ranging from bright green to dark brown, the Green Anole (
Anolis carolinensis) possesses the ability to change color due to temperature and light. A small lizard, it has a pale colored underbelly, long claws, and a thin tail. The males have what is called a ‘dewlap’, a bright pink flap of skin that can be extended and retracted for purposes of intimidating rivals and attracting females during the mating season. These anoles are arboreal, spending most of their time in trees, shrubs, and vines, feeding on insects and spiders. While they have a small territory, the males will aggressively defend it, starting with extending their dewlap, bobbing their head, performing pushups, and ultimately ending in a chase or a wrestling match. All this posturing and patrolling can make the males much easier targets for predators, however, and they tend to have higher mortality rates than the much more discreet females. If it is late spring and the right to mate is at stake, the winner will once again employ headbobbing and dewlap extension to entice the female, who lays a single, softshell egg among the leaf litter.
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| Green Anole, Anolis carolinensis |
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| Green Anole, Anolis carolinensis |
Coming in at an impressive 10 to 24 inches long, the Texas Alligator Lizard (Gerrhonotus infernalis) is a stiff lizard with large, plate-like scales and a long, somewhat prehensile tail. It is the largest lizard in Texas and the one of largest alligator lizards in the world. Varying from ruddy yellow to reddish brown, it has dark crosshatches on its back with a lighter head and small, weak legs that are unmarked. Found on rocky hillsides, it has slow, calculated moves, feeding on insects, spiders, and small invertebrates. When alarmed, it may inflate itself in defense – and like other lizards even lose its tail to distract a potential predator - but more typically it will fold in its legs and slither away like a snake. Unlike many other lizards, breeding can occur year-round, and multiple clutches of eggs can be laid. Females often stay near the nest site to protect it, but once the young hatch they receive no parental care.
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| Texas Alligator Lizard, Gerrhonotus infernalis |
Lizards have been around for 100 million years longer than humans, and descended from the same family tree that gave rise to the dinosaurs. The next time you’re lucky enough to have one cross your path, show it some well-deserved respect!
