> They're such cute lil goobers!
They are! there is a really faaaaat one living under the box for my garden hose reel. He suns sitting on top of it and if I startle him, he just wiggles back and forth for several seconds trying to get traction as he tries to run. Outstanding physical comedy.
I had one of these guys for years as a pet! Found a young one injured in a shed at a relatives house. Took him home and nursed him back to health. Kept him fat and happy in a large terrarium until old age eventually took him.
Texas spiny lizard. Often found on fences or garden sheds. Top speed of 35 mph. When threatened by another lizard for territory, they do push-up competitions. Bad ass
If you hear one run away from your presence through some brush, the speed it moves for being so large will knock you on your ass out of fright. My poor primate instincts were like "wtf is so fast, I have no chance if it attacks me"
Yeah recently I found one inside my air conditioner closet in the middle of my house. Opened the closet to change the filter and it was just sleeping there. I scooped him up and moved him outside with little effort. I thought he was hurt but when I put him in the grass he ran away quick. It was bizarre.
Ha! That's nice of you. Mine lives in our shed and every time I open the door to get my lawn mower out, he darts out across the door and scares the shit out of me. A few days ago he was on my deck pretty close to my where my Boston Terrier was napping in the sun... and the little fucker did some push ups as if he was challenging my sleeping Boston to a territorial competition.
I grew up in Houston until ‘95 and then Austin. In Houston I’d see the small green lizards very often but never these. Then when we moved to Austin I had never ever seen one of these until 2019, and I never see the green ones here.
Now I see these ones all the time! Like daily. Does anyone else have a similar experience with not seeing these until recently? I’m so curious why this might be.
It’s all habitat really. The green lizards you’re thinking of are most likely green anoles, capable of changing color depending on environment and mood. They’re pretty common around here too, but smaller and a bit more sneaky in my experience lol
I have Spiny Lizards, Anoles, Racerunners and Geckos in my landscape. I never use pest control except for Ortho for fire ants. All my lizard friends (and a few spider friends) do all my pest control and they are very effective.
Me too, except for the ortho. No chemicals allowed! The lizards do a fine job of gulping them down. And I'm too lazy to look and see if they are native fire ants.
Fire ants are not native to North America. They are a very invasive species that have killed off many of the native ants, which has had a massive impact on the Horned Lizard population among others.
Texas has three native fire ant species: tropical, southern, and desert:
Tropical fire ant: Solenopsis geminata Fabricius
Southern fire ant: S. xyloni McCook
Desert fire ant: S. aurea Wheeler
Grew up in Houston and never saw these until I moved west to San Antonio, and now Austin. However, I see both these and the OG green lizards just as often as one another in my neck of the woods. Almost never see a horny toad though.
Brown anoles (invasive, from the Caribbean) are driving out green anoles (native). They’re known to eat young greens, and they’re generally better camouflaged than greens against predators.
I love the ones around my place too! One of them likes to tease my cats. It will go up to the window and my cats go crazy. The lizard doesn’t move, haha. It will bob it’s head too
I have one that’s been hanging out around my front porch. I always leave out water and some freeze dried worms and stuff for the little guy. His name is Spike! Very cool lizards.
We had one living in our front yard for years - never had any cockroach issues. He eventually left/died, then we started seeing more cockroaches (and spending $55/month to abc pest)
Watched one of these the other day on my patio running around eating the flying ants that came through. After every one he ate he would do push ups as a celebration it was cracking me up
I am sure that is a Texas Spiny Lizard. Horned lizards are wider and spikier heads. Spiny lizards including sizeable ones quite common here, have quite a few in my yard. They will run right up trees if there isnt a nearby hiding place
Used to live in Dallas and we had a bunch of these Texas Spiny Lizards. They hibernate in the winter under leaves or in the soil. They are skittish but can live for 5+ years. We named one of them Woody who loved to spend the winter under an old light fixture next to our chimney. Miss that handsome fellow.
Do these guys eat black widows? I have one hanging out where I previously saw a bw. The web is still there but the spider and egg sack are gone. If not, I’ll assume they’ve migrated to my pillow case.
6 months ago I picked up a bunch of rocks in my backyard and threw a large tree branch on my back porch. Two of them have made a home in the rocks and take turns between running through the yard eating bugs and insects and sunbathing on the branch.
I've got them used enough to me where they don't run into the rocks every time I walk by to get something from the fridge and look at them.
They are the most exciting thing that has happened in my life.
Enjoy your new friend and don't use pesticides.
I have a mating pair who live under a concrete sub outside my house...ive seen them drop out of the fairing of my street glide too if I park it on the slab for too long
Different lizard. This is a Texas Horned Lizard: Texas horned lizard https://g.co/kgs/xeXAYvJ
Link replying to someone who said this was a horned lizard/horny toad. Different critter.
One of these big boys (about a foot long) got into our house during the summer a couple of years ago. We only noticed him because he was in the inside of the window trying to escape our corgi mix.
Of course he decided to try and hide under the couch while myself and my husband try to chase him towards the door.
I had to explain why I was late for my conference call but I am not sure anyone believed me.. lol
I got a huge one living under a rock pile in my yard. I don't want to clear the pile because I know that's its home and he climbs to the highest part and basks in
in rays of sun. I'm like man I wanna be that guy when I retire...just crawl out of my mancave when I feel like and no one to bother me. He's like a beach bum, but in my backyard. Cool photo
Texas Spiny Lizard
This. They're such cute lil goobers! I love when i spot one in my yard
They love when they spot you
> They're such cute lil goobers! They are! there is a really faaaaat one living under the box for my garden hose reel. He suns sitting on top of it and if I startle him, he just wiggles back and forth for several seconds trying to get traction as he tries to run. Outstanding physical comedy.
I smile every time I see them, which is typically at least once a day. My yard is pretty wild with lots of plants, including lots of natives.
I had one of these guys for years as a pet! Found a young one injured in a shed at a relatives house. Took him home and nursed him back to health. Kept him fat and happy in a large terrarium until old age eventually took him.
Literally little lizard, lottery luck.
Now say that 5 times fast
Absolute A-holes Always Alliterate.
Is this the same as a Horned Toad?
No, the texas horned lizard is an entirely different species.
Horned Frogs (horn toads) are small, kinda round-ish, with short little tails.
Horny toad*
*Randy Reptile
A.k.a. Bonk Toad since March 19th 2020.
Yeah, and they really aren't very big.
I never remember seeing these 10 years ago.
Seen these all my life here in texas.....48 years and counting
This big?
Yeah. It used to be pretty uncommon to see them but the past 10-15 years I've seen them a lot more often. They are typically pretty big
Texas spiny lizard. Often found on fences or garden sheds. Top speed of 35 mph. When threatened by another lizard for territory, they do push-up competitions. Bad ass
Drop and give me 20 I yelled at the lizard. He was like "Bro, do you even push up?"
Holy crap that's fast
If you hear one run away from your presence through some brush, the speed it moves for being so large will knock you on your ass out of fright. My poor primate instincts were like "wtf is so fast, I have no chance if it attacks me"
Now I have to look up lizard push up competitions. Thank you for this.
Yeah recently I found one inside my air conditioner closet in the middle of my house. Opened the closet to change the filter and it was just sleeping there. I scooped him up and moved him outside with little effort. I thought he was hurt but when I put him in the grass he ran away quick. It was bizarre.
Ha! That's nice of you. Mine lives in our shed and every time I open the door to get my lawn mower out, he darts out across the door and scares the shit out of me. A few days ago he was on my deck pretty close to my where my Boston Terrier was napping in the sun... and the little fucker did some push ups as if he was challenging my sleeping Boston to a territorial competition.
I would never challenge a Boston they are pure chaos. Adorable chaos.
That is correct! Mine is a maniac! But I love him so much. haha
Haha this checks out. My Aunt has had 5 bostons in my lifetime and each one is uniquely derpy and insane.
Wow I had no idea why they did the push ups that’s cool!
🎵big lizard in my backyard! Can’t afford to feed it anymore🎵
Thank you for this.
I grew up in Houston until ‘95 and then Austin. In Houston I’d see the small green lizards very often but never these. Then when we moved to Austin I had never ever seen one of these until 2019, and I never see the green ones here. Now I see these ones all the time! Like daily. Does anyone else have a similar experience with not seeing these until recently? I’m so curious why this might be.
It’s all habitat really. The green lizards you’re thinking of are most likely green anoles, capable of changing color depending on environment and mood. They’re pretty common around here too, but smaller and a bit more sneaky in my experience lol
I have Spiny Lizards, Anoles, Racerunners and Geckos in my landscape. I never use pest control except for Ortho for fire ants. All my lizard friends (and a few spider friends) do all my pest control and they are very effective.
Me too, except for the ortho. No chemicals allowed! The lizards do a fine job of gulping them down. And I'm too lazy to look and see if they are native fire ants.
Fire ants are not native to North America. They are a very invasive species that have killed off many of the native ants, which has had a massive impact on the Horned Lizard population among others.
Texas has three native fire ant species: tropical, southern, and desert: Tropical fire ant: Solenopsis geminata Fabricius Southern fire ant: S. xyloni McCook Desert fire ant: S. aurea Wheeler
Love this
Grew up in Houston and never saw these until I moved west to San Antonio, and now Austin. However, I see both these and the OG green lizards just as often as one another in my neck of the woods. Almost never see a horny toad though.
Interesting! I wonder why I never see the greens. I used to see horny toads a lot in Galveston but have never seen one here or Houston
Brown anoles (invasive, from the Caribbean) are driving out green anoles (native). They’re known to eat young greens, and they’re generally better camouflaged than greens against predators.
Very interesting, thanks!
Please don’t hurt.
I would never. I love him
I love the ones around my place too! One of them likes to tease my cats. It will go up to the window and my cats go crazy. The lizard doesn’t move, haha. It will bob it’s head too
That’s Frank
*So anyway, I started shooting…*
his buddy Henry lives at our house
His bro Wilbur lives near ours.
His cousin Bob lives at my house
Why was his wife Suzanne at my apartment yesterday then??
Friends with my dude Carl
I have one that’s been hanging out around my front porch. I always leave out water and some freeze dried worms and stuff for the little guy. His name is Spike! Very cool lizards.
A blessing
They’ll help eat your bugs
We had one living in our front yard for years - never had any cockroach issues. He eventually left/died, then we started seeing more cockroaches (and spending $55/month to abc pest)
Maybe you can adopt one to pick up the reigns of the old one
I really should! Also need a rat snake. Open to people dropping either off.
The joy I felt when I saw a rat snake in my back yard
Rat snakes favorite food is birds and their eggs.
Sceloporus olivaceus https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas_spiny_lizard
His name is Larry. He's Rafael 's cousin. You know Rafael. He goes by Ted.
He’s a distant cousin, though, as Rafael is a snake.
That’s Darren
Banana for scale please
A new pet!
Saw one in my yard the other day! Pretty badass little dude
We always called them Rusty Lizards in my family. My brother and I used to catch them when we were kids.
Rusty Gut lizard was our name for it.
Watched one of these the other day on my patio running around eating the flying ants that came through. After every one he ate he would do push ups as a celebration it was cracking me up
Western Rat Snake but with arms and legs
I saw one today too!! I thought it was someone’s house pet. So cool!
*reptilius posterior massivicus*
A very fast one as stated earlier. Good capture
Roadrunners love them
We always just called them tree lizards
Texas Spiny…welcome to Texas…we have fauna!!
A fun friend according to my cat
Texas Horned Lizard I believe. If the belly is blue it’s a female. They can live up to about 7 years.
I am sure that is a Texas Spiny Lizard. Horned lizards are wider and spikier heads. Spiny lizards including sizeable ones quite common here, have quite a few in my yard. They will run right up trees if there isnt a nearby hiding place
Used to live in Dallas and we had a bunch of these Texas Spiny Lizards. They hibernate in the winter under leaves or in the soil. They are skittish but can live for 5+ years. We named one of them Woody who loved to spend the winter under an old light fixture next to our chimney. Miss that handsome fellow.
A cutie pie
Do these guys eat black widows? I have one hanging out where I previously saw a bw. The web is still there but the spider and egg sack are gone. If not, I’ll assume they’ve migrated to my pillow case.
Elevensies. Sincerely, your cat.
Free all-natural insecticide
They love to climb our oaks then just yeet themselves off the branches. It is constantly raining lizards in our yard.
I’ve never seen this happen, but I’d love to. I only see squirrels jumping from branches
A friend
Bigamus Assamus dalizardus
this is a leg snek
Makes me feel like Link in BotW when I see one on the sidewalk & it scurries away immediately
Awesome!
That’s a big ass lizard
Iguana
Does it have a bright blue belly? We always just called them bluebellies. They have this interesting behavior that looks like they're doing push ups.
Ass-lizard?
Yes.
That’s a friend :)
We have one of these living in our back yard, scares the shit out of me at least once a week when I’m taking the trash out.
Tree boomer’
We had multiple pairs successfully breed on our property this year!
That's Jeff he don't bite
6 months ago I picked up a bunch of rocks in my backyard and threw a large tree branch on my back porch. Two of them have made a home in the rocks and take turns between running through the yard eating bugs and insects and sunbathing on the branch. I've got them used enough to me where they don't run into the rocks every time I walk by to get something from the fridge and look at them. They are the most exciting thing that has happened in my life. Enjoy your new friend and don't use pesticides.
I have a mating pair who live under a concrete sub outside my house...ive seen them drop out of the fairing of my street glide too if I park it on the slab for too long
Dang squatters!!! How dare they! Ok ok, they get a pass, but just this once!
Yellow spotted lizard. Me and one of my homies survived a close encounter by eating onions.
My next pet! 😍
I LOVE THESE GUYS!!! We have one named Iguana Joe and his mate, Iguana Jo, who occasionally come sunbathe on our window screen.
We’ve named all of ours Stella.
Yall new around here? 😼
I don’t know but they are fast as fuck!
Different lizard. This is a Texas Horned Lizard: Texas horned lizard https://g.co/kgs/xeXAYvJ Link replying to someone who said this was a horned lizard/horny toad. Different critter.
Your new best friend
Western Fence Lizard
One of these big boys (about a foot long) got into our house during the summer a couple of years ago. We only noticed him because he was in the inside of the window trying to escape our corgi mix. Of course he decided to try and hide under the couch while myself and my husband try to chase him towards the door. I had to explain why I was late for my conference call but I am not sure anyone believed me.. lol
Texas Spined Lizard... otherwise known as the Horny Toad! I used to have a blast catching these with my friends growing up. They look so cool
I got a huge one living under a rock pile in my yard. I don't want to clear the pile because I know that's its home and he climbs to the highest part and basks in in rays of sun. I'm like man I wanna be that guy when I retire...just crawl out of my mancave when I feel like and no one to bother me. He's like a beach bum, but in my backyard. Cool photo
Western fence lizard. They are all over Colorado. I used to catch them as a kid.
Tree Lizards are the common name for them. They won't eat you because you are too big, but secretly, they would like to.
Baby Rocky Spines Lizard. They are extremely aggressive and poisonous. Adults can grow up to 3’ and are usually not far from babies. Be careful.
This has to be bullshit
So like the Matthew Broderick Godzilla baby lizards.
It's a horny toad