Earless Lizards | Herps of Texas

Cophosaurus texanus

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Scientific name. Cophosaurus texanus

Common Name. Greater Earless Lizard

General information. Cophosaurus texanus is a quick and active species of diurnal lizard. They run quickly about with their tails raised and they may wave their tails from side to side when slowing to a halt or when they are about to run. This species eats a variety of adult and larval insect prey.

Protected status. The Greater Earless Lizard is not a protected species in Texas and can be legally collected with a hunting license.

Diagnostic features. Two throat folds (one weak) No external ear openings. Flattened body and tail

Coloration. Black crossbars on ventral surface of tail. Two subspecies in Texas are distinguished by dorsal color pattern differences Males generally larger with more vivid colorations Males have two distinct black lines in a field of blue and yellow anterior to the hind legs that wrap onto the venter and stop abruptly; females and young have distinct dark stripe on back side of each thigh surrounded by a lighter color. Gravid females take on a pink coloration on their flanks.

General distribution. In North America, Cophosaurus texanus is found in the Southwest, from Texas to Arizona and into northern Mexico.

Texas distribution. In Texas, the two subspecies of Cophosaurus texanus are seen across the western two-thirds of the state.

Habitat. Cophosaurus texanus prefer rocky desert flats, streambeds, and limestone cliffs.

Reproduction. Clutches of eggs, numbering 2-8 (average of 5), are laid from March to August.

Size. Cophosaurus texanus grow to lengths (including tail) of 7-18 cm (3-7 in).

Map. Orange counties indicate new county records since previous Herps of Texas update in 1998; all other colored counties reflect known distribution prior to 1998 for species and/or subspecies. Map is based on museum voucher specimens.

Holbrookia lacerata

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Scientific name. Holbrookia lacerata

Common Name. Plateau Spot-tailed Earless Lizard

General information. Holbrookia lacerata is a wary diurnal species of lizard, quickly retreating when threatened. They can be conspicuous during the early morning hours when they sun themselves on open ground.

Protected status. The Plateau Spot-tailed Earless Lizard is not a protected species in Texas and can be legally collected with a hunting license.

Diagnostic features. Slightly flattened body Two throat folds (one weak) with no external ear openings Two rows of body blotches on either side of midline often fused together. Blotches on legs often form distinct bands.

Coloration. Dark brown spots on lighter brown dorsal surface. Ventral surface white with dark spots on tail. Round, dark spots on ventral surface of tail and lateral black spots on abdomen Females and some males may have red-orange pattern on throat or neck during breeding season

General distribution. In North America, Holbrookia lacerata are found in central Texas and maybe in adjacent parts of Mexico.

Texas distribution. In Texas, the distribution of Holbrookia lacerata extends from portions of west Texas (east of the Pecos River) eastward to the Edwards Plateau in central Texas/

Habitat. Holbrookia lacerata prefers rocky desert flats, areas with sparse vegetation or mesquite-prickly pear associations, and the uplands of the Edwards Plateau in central Texas.

Reproduction. Eggs are laid in the late spring, sometimes with a second clutch laid later in the summer. Clutch sizes ranging between 6 and 8.

Size. Adult body lengths of Holbrookia lacerata, exclusive of tail, range from 3–6 cm (1–2.5 in).

Map. Map is based on museum voucher specimens.

Holbrookia maculata

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Scientific name. Holbrookia maculata

Common Name. Common Lesser Earless Lizard

General information. Holbrookia maculata is an active, diurnal lizard. They shelter in burrows and cover themselves with sand to hide. They feed on spiders and insects.

Protected status. The Common Lesser Earless Lizard is not a protected species in Texas and can be legally collected with a hunting license.

Diagnostic features. Two throat folds (one weak) No external ear openings.

Coloration. The three subspecies of Holbrookia maculata found in Texas are distinguished by their color and pattern Two black diagonal marks on the sides posterior to the forelegs; diagonal marks rimmed in blue on males, less distinct on females . No markings on ventral surface of tail.

General distribution. In North America, Holbrookia maculata has a broad range, from southern South Dakota to Texas and Arizona and into central Mexico.

Texas distribution. In Texas, the three subspecies of Holbrookia maculata are present in north Texas, the Panhandle, and west Texas.

Habitat. Holbrookia maculata prefers sandy desert grasslands, areas with sparse vegetation, prairies, farmlands, and dry streambeds.

Reproduction. Breeding takes place in spring and early summer. Eggs may be laid from May to August, with an average of 5 eggs per clutch.

Size. Holbrookia maculata can grow to lengths of 11-15 cm (4.5-6 in), including tail.

Holbrookia propinqua

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Scientific name. Holbrookia propinqua

Common Name. Keeled Earless Lizard

General information. Holbrookia propinqua is diurnal and forages for insects among the sand dunes and open sandy habitats with little vegetation. This species retreats quickly and disappears among the dunes when threatened.

Protected status. The Keeled Earless Lizard is not a protected species in Texas and can be legally collected with a hunting license.

Diagnostic features. Small lizard, with small keeled scales Two throat folds (one weak) No external ear openings

Coloration. Dorsal ground color is green-gray or brown, but varies between the sexes Males have two dark diagonal lines behind forelimbs and may have a combination of blotches and stripes with white flecks; females paler than males and may not have discernible dorsal markings. Unmarked venter. No markings on ventral surface of tail.

General distribution. In North America, Holbrookia propinqua is seen in south Texas and along the Gulf Coast of Mexico.

Texas distribution. The single subspecies of Holbrookia propinqua found in Texas, H. p. propinqua, is found in south and south-central portions of the state.

Habitat. Holbrookia propinqua prefers sandy environments and is common on sand dunes and barrier beaches within its range.

Reproduction. Breeding times are not known, but hatchlings appear in the summer months.

Size. Holbrookia propinqua can grow to lengths of 11-4 cm (4.5-5.5 in)

Holbrookia subcaudalis

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Scientific name. Holbrookia subcaudalis

Common Name. Tamaulipan Spot-tailed Earless Lizard

General information. Holbrookia subcaudalis is diurnal species at home in flat, non-sandy habitats. Insectivorus, this species can be found in and adjacent to agricultural fields as well as sparsely vegetated habitats, and is more easily seen along the edges of roads between April and June.

Protected status. The Tamaulipan Spot-tailed Earless Lizard is not a protected species in Texas and can be legally collected with a hunting license.

Diagnostic features. Slightly flattened body Two throat folds (one weak) with no external ear openings Two rows of body blotches on either side of midline not fused together. Blotches on hind limbs circular in shape without forming bands.

Coloration. Dark brown spots on lighter brown dorsal surface. Ventral surface white with dark spots on tail. Round, dark spots on ventral surface of tail and lateral black spots on abdomen Breeding females may have light green or yellow body color

General distribution. In North America, Holbrookia subcaudalis is found south of the Edwards Plateau in south Texas; also present in adjacent states of Mexico

Texas distribution. In Texas, the distribution of Holbrookia subcaudalis extends south of the Edwards Plateau

Habitat. Holbrookia subcaudalis can be found in non-sandy, flat habitats in south Texas: open scrub lands (not invaded by non-native grasses) and in disturbed areas, such as agricultural fields

Reproduction. Eggs are laid in the late spring, sometimes with a second clutch laid later in the summer. Clutch sizes ranging between 6 and 8.

Size. Adult body lengths of Holbrookia subcaudalis, exclusive of tail, ranges from 3–7 cm (1–3 in).

Map. Map is based on museum voucher specimens.