Greater Earless Lizard

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Cophosaurus texanus

Greater Earless Lizard, a reference photo
Photo: Daniel Schwen · CC BY 2.5 (licence)

The greater earless lizard (Cophosaurus texanus) is the only species in the monotypic genus Cophosaurus. It is closely related to the smaller, lesser earless lizards and other species in the genus Holbrookia, and in fact was placed in that genus and referred to Holbrookia texana from 1852 into the 1970s. Earless lizards lack external ear openings, an adaptation to burrowing in the sand, as are the recessed lower jaw and flared upper labial scales. Greater earless lizards are sexually dimorphic, males grow larger and are more colorful than females, exhibiting pink and green colors that are particularly bright in the breeding season.

From Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Is it venomous or poisonous?

We have no record of Greater Earless Lizard being toxic, poisonous or venomous. That is not proof that it is safe. Never eat, touch or handle a wild plant, mushroom or animal on the strength of an identification; ask someone qualified.

Easily confused with

Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Reptilia
Order
Squamata
Family
Phrynosomatidae
Species
Cophosaurus texanus

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