Description: Adults are 7.5 to 11 inches in total length, and 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. They have long toes, and sharp claws suited to climbing

Habitat: This primarily arboreal lizard occurs on mesquite, oak, and other trees, and on buildings, fences, and bridges; it is often associated with scrub vegetation.

Range: The range includes Texas and adjacent northeastern Mexico, to as far south as southern Tamaulipas, central Nuevo Leon, and San Luis Potosi. It has been found in virtually every county (>100) within its range in Texas

Found in these States: TX

Diet: Texas spiny lizards are insectivorous, meaning they eat mostly insects such as beetles, grasshoppers and pill bugs.

Reproduction: The Texas spiny lizard will breed throughout the summer months of the year, and is capable of laying four clutches each year if nutrients are plentiful. Each clutch will contain around 20 eggs at a time, and on average the males will be larger after birth.

Status: Listed as Least Concern in view of the relatively large and stable extent of occurrence, area of occupancy, number of subpopulations, and population size. No major threats have been identified.

Taxonomy: