Sceloporus olivaceus, commonly known as the Texas Spiny Lizard, is native to North America, primarily distributed across the southern United States, specifically in central and western Texas, and extending into northeastern Mexico.

The Texas Spiny Lizard inhabits environments characterized by warm to hot climates with relatively low humidity. It is commonly found in semi-arid regions with plenty of sunlight, often in areas that provide ample opportunities for basking.

Sceloporus olivaceus typically resides in habitats that offer rocky outcroppings, woodlands, and scrublands, which are crucial for its ecological niche. These lizards are arboreal and terrestrial, thriving in environments with ample vegetation like oak and juniper trees, where they play a role in controlling insect populations as an insectivore. They are well adapted to thermal regulation through behavioral means, such as seeking shade or basking in the sun.