Mock Chameleons in Texas

I have a little lizard friend that comes by my window and walks along the fence running the length of our home in Dallas.

Mock Chameleon

He’s a cute little guy – maybe 10 cm from nose to the end of his tail and is a khaki color.

When he sees me looking through the window, he starts showing off by forcing this rounded fan-like piece of skin out from his throat area. It turns a beautiful bright, ruby red color surrounded by sunshine yellow.

Now, I think he’s showing off to me. He’ll bob his head then thrust his beautiful fan out, walk a few inches and repeat, all the while peaking to see if I’m looking.

I think he thinks he’s a tough guy! LOL…

I don’t know if the showing off is because he feels threatened or he fancies me!

Today, just as I was telling my mother about him and describing what he does, he runs down the fence only to see me looking out the window again.

He stopped in his tracks and started his beautiful display. Just in time to accurately recount what was going on to my mother.

He came across a tree near the fence right outside my window that was about 1 foot away from him and he decided to really show off by jumping onto a limb for me to see.

This made him eye level with me and he continued to climb slowly, stopping and showing off.

The closer he got to green leaves, he turned a green color. As I wasn’t sure what kind of lizard he was, when he did this, it immediately hit me that he is a mock chameleon.

This does not mean he is actually a chameleon. He is a lizard that changes color like a chameleon.

Anyway, “Toughie” – this is what I’m calling him from now on, I enjoy our daily encounters and can’t wait to see him tomorrow.

He’s really got some personality! What a funny guy!

***

I hope you enjoyed this Reptile post on Exotic Animal Lover! Until next time…

Live Exotically,

Kimberly Edwards

P.S. Check out this great Field Guide for identifying all of the reptiles in Eastern & Central North America:

The Bartletts’ guide to the alligators, crocodiles, turtles, and lizards of eastern and central North America features all 207 species inhabiting the… The Bartletts’ guide to the alligators, crocodiles, turtles, and lizards of eastern and central North America features all 207 species inhabiting the region from west Texas, to western Manitoba, to the eastern seaboard. Each species account is accompanied by a color photo, distribution map, and description including appearance, behavior, range, habitat, and prey. Some introduced species covered in theiGuide/i, such as the large and predatory Nile monitor and spectacled caiman, illuminate ever-worsening environmental and ecological conditions, particularly in Florida and Texas.   This authoritative and user-friendly reference will appeal to hobbyists, amateur naturalists, biologists, and herpetologists seeking a focused, detailed, well-organized, and richly illustrated field guide. “The Bartletts have completed a monumental undertaking in compiling information on and photographing all the diverse amphibian and reptile taxa of eastern and central North America.”—Kevin M. Enge, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission “My choice as an effective primer for budding naturalists and young naturalists at heart wishing to become acquainted with this interesting segment of North America’s natural legacy.”—Walter Meshaka Jr., Section of Zoology and Biology, State Museum of Pennsylvania The Bartletts’ guide to the alligators, crocodiles, turtles, and lizards of eastern and central North America features all 207 species inhabiting the region from west Texas, to western Manitoba, to the eastern seaboard. Each species account is accompanied by a color photo, distribution map, and description including appearance, behavior, range, habitat, and prey. Some introduced species covered in theiGuide, such as the large and predatory Nile monitor and spectacled caiman, illuminate ever-worsening e

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