Description: The southern spot-tailed earless lizard is overall light grayish tan in color, with two paravertebral rows of transverse light-edged dark blotches, one row down either side of the back and a second lateral row of dark, pale-edged blotches that are usually not connected to the paravertebral blotches. Adults are 4.5 to 6.1 inches in total length. They have round, dark spots on the ventral surface of the tail, a characteristic which gives them both their common and scientific names. As with all species and subspecies of earless lizard, they have no external ear openings. When gravid, females will often turn greenish yellow on neck and trunk.

Habitat: Their preferred habitat is subhumid agricultural and nonagricultural flatlands and very low rolling hills with sparse vegetation such as small patches of grass on dark clay loam soils, with a few mesquite trees mesquite, but not prickly pear cactus.

Range: It is found in northern Mexico and the United States in southern Texas.

Found in these States: TX

Diet: As with all earless lizards, the southern spot-tailed earless lizard is diurnal and insectivorous.

Reproduction: They are oviparous.

Status: Listed as Near Threatened because the species appears to be declining significantly in extent of occurrence and area of occupancy, but the rate of decline is probably less than that which would qualify the species for the Vulnerable category (under criteria A2, A3 or A4). Additionally, the distribution appears to be highly fragmented (perhaps naturally and as a result of habitat loss). Nearly meets criteria B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii) (severe fragmentation, declining habitat quality, but the extent of occurrence and area of occupancy are outside the thresholds for the Vulnerable category).

Taxonomy: It was previously considered a subspecies of Holbrookia lacerata.