The Texas spiny lizard (Sceloporus olivaceus) is a species of phrynosomatid lizard native to the south-central United States. They are quite common throughout their range, where they are frequently spotted in trees or on fences.
Texas spiny lizards 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. These lizards have long toes, and sharp claws suited to climbing.
Texas spiny lizards are found in the states of Texas, Arizona, and Oklahoma, and northeastern Mexico in the states of Coahuila, Nuevo León, Tamaulipas, and San Luis Potosí. Their preferred habitat is mesquite trees, over areas with a significant amount of ground leaf litter, but they are often found in scrub vegetation and suburban areas basking on fences or climbing telephone poles.
Texas spiny lizards are diurnal and arboreal spending much of their time in trees. They are typically shy and nervous, and when approached they will usually retreat up a tree or flee noisily through leaf litter on the ground. Texas spiny lizards are solitary and very territorial; the males have a peculiar habit when challenged by another male for their 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 lizards are carnivores (insectivores), and eat a variety of beetles, wasps, grasshoppers, and other insects.
Texas spiny lizards breed throughout the spring and summer months. Females may lay up to four clutches a year. Each clutch may contain up to 20 eggs which are laid in the ground and then covered with soil. The incubation period usually takes around 60 days. The young hatch precocial; they are fully developed and are able to fend for themselves.
There are no major threats facing Texas spiny lizards at present.
The IUCN Red List and other sources don’t provide the number of the Texas spiny lizard total population size. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List and its numbers today are stable.