The Texas Alligator Lizard is a species of Alligator Lizard that can be found in parts of Texas, Mexico and Guatemala.
This lizard has a number of different common names including the Smooth-headed Alligator Lizard and the Wiegmann’s Alligator Lizard.
This lizard shouldn’t be confused with another species of lizard that is also known as the Texas Alligator Lizard (Gerrhonotus infernalis).
Texas Alligator Lizard Taxonomy
In the Animal Kingdom, Taxonomy is used as the science and practice of classifying different species and sub-species based on their biological and genetic makeup.
Family
The family of lizard that the Texas Alligator Lizard belongs to is called Anguidae. This is a large and diverse family that is native to the Northern Hemisphere.
The types of lizards in this family include the Slowworms, Galliwasps, Glass Lizards and Alligator Lizards among a number of other species.
Some of the other species in this family include the Mexican Alligator Lizard and the Slender Glass Lizard.
Genus
There are 3 different genera of Alligator Lizard. These are called Gerrhonotus, Abronia and Elgaria.
The genus that the Texas Alligator Lizard belongs to is called Gerrhonotus. There are currently 9 recognised species in this genus.
This genus used to contain a lot more species but many of them have been relocated to the other genera of Alligator Lizards.
Some of the other species in this genus include the Pygmy Alligator Lizard and the Isthmian Alligator Lizard.
Species
The scientific name for this species is Gerrhonotus liocephalus and there are currently three recognised sub-species.
The three sub-species are Gerrhonotus liocephalus austrinus, Gerrhonotus liocephalus liocephalus and Gerrhonotus liocephalus loweryi.
The species was first described in 1828 by a German herpetologist named Arend Friedrich August Wiegmann.
Texas Alligator Lizard Description
The Texas Alligator Lizard can reach up to 20 inches in length including the tail but are usually a little smaller than this.
They have a broad heads and heavily armoured scales It is these armoured scales that gives them the name ‘Alligator lizard’.
They have long bodies, short limbs and a long tail which makes up around half of the lizard’s length.
These lizards have 16 rows of longitudinal dorsal scales and anywhere between 46 to 54 dorsal scales from the back of their head to the base of their tail.
The color of the Texas Alligator can change considerably with age. This transformation can be quite remarkable.
Hatchlings are typically dark brown or black in color with well-defined white crossbands while adults can range from a tan or light brown color to a reddish brown.
Adults still have these crossbands but they have less contrast. They are typically a lighter shade of brown than the background. Typically, the older the lizard the more washed out the crossbands become.
Natural Habitat and Distribution
The Texas Alligator Lizard native to parts of North and Central America. It can be found in Texas, Mexico and Guatemala.
Their range extends from the Southern parts of Texas into Mexico. The majority of these lizards are found in the Southern half of Mexico with their range extending into Guatemala.
Texas Alligator Lizard Behaviour
This lizard is a carnivore and will feed on a variety of different insects and invertebrates such as beetles, grasshoppers, snails, scorpions and spiders.
These lizards have the ability to drop their tail. They will do this if a predator grabs them by the tail. This is a defensive mechanism which is designed to distract the predator long enough for the lizard to escape.
They are an oviparous species, meaning that the females will lay a clutch of eggs as opposed to giving birth to live young.