Phrynosoma platyrhinos
The Horned Lizard is one of the best known and most easily recognized lizards. Although the name is finally into disuse, it has been incorrectly called the “horned toad”. Our local species, the Desert Horned Lizard, is a medium sized lizard about 5 inches long, of which the tail is about 1/3 of its length. It is flattened in appearance and has a “crown” of spines or “horns” at the topmost rear edge of its head. The color of this diurnally active lizard is much more variable than any of the other local species, and usually matches the substrate on which the lizard is found. They are reddish on red soil, tan on light brown soil, and so on. This is not a chameleon-like ability to change color to match the background, but is a longer-term adaptation within a given local population that evolves over time. One or two clutches of from 2 to 16 eggs are laid each year. Habitat: This is a terrestrial lizard that may be found throughout our area. It is most common on alluvial fans and in washes, but is also found in mountainous terrain as well as in open desert. Diet: Ants are a favorite food. The Horned Lizard will also eat other insects and spiders along with occasional plant material, such as berries.
Adaptations: Unlike other lizard species in our area, the Horned Lizard does not rely on speed to escape from predators. Rather, it relies on the camouflage provided by its color and pattern. This, along with its very flattened body, which reduces any telltale shadow, allows it to avoid notice. Like the Zebra-tailed Lizard, the Horned Lizard buries itself in sandy soil, and its nostrils have evolved in such a way that they form a trap preventing soil particles from entering its nose.
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