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Greater Short-horned Lizard
ExploreReptiles
Greater Short-horned Lizard
Phrynosoma hernandesi
The Greater Short-horned Lizard is a small, spiky lizard that loves to bask in the sun. It can change colors to blend in with its surroundings, making it a great little hide-and-seek player in the wild!
Habitat: Desert
Appearance
The Greater Short-horned Lizard is a flat-bodied reptile with a spiky appearance, featuring a row of short, horn-like spines on its head. Its skin is typically mottled brown, grey, or tan, often with darker blotches, providing excellent camouflage against rocky or sandy ground.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassSquamataOrderLacertiliaFamilyPhrynosomatidaeGenusPhrynosoma
Category
ReptilesRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Its 'horns' are actually modified scales, not true horns like on a bull.
They can survive freezing temperatures by burying themselves in the soil!
They use a special glue-like substance on their tongue to catch ants!
Unlike most lizards, this species gives birth to live babies, not eggs!
Special abilities
Ability
Eye-Popping Spray
Greater Short-horned Lizards can squirt a stream of blood from their eyes that helps them scare away predators like coyotes.
Ability
Spine Shield
Greater Short-horned Lizards have sharp, bony spines all over their body that helps them become a prickly, tough meal for predators.
Ability
Camouflage Cloak
Greater Short-horned Lizards have mottled skin colors and a flat body that helps them blend perfectly into their surroundings.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 7-15 cm
- Weight
- 0.015-0.07 kg
- Lifespan
- 5-8 years
- Top Speed
- 1.5 km/h
Diet & Feeding
Tiny hunters, they mainly feast on ants, gulping them down with their specialized tongue!
Primary Foods
- Ants
- Termites
- Small Beetles
- Spiders
Foraging Method
- Ambush
Ecological connections
eaten by
Western Harvester Ant
Pogonomyrmex occidentalis
A main food source, caught with a sticky tongue.
eaten by
Silky Ant
Formica fusca
Common ant species preyed upon by the lizard.
hunts
Red-tailed Hawk
Buteo jamaicensis
A common avian predator hunting from the sky.
hunts
Coyote
Canis latrans
Mammalian predator that hunts them on the ground.
hunts
Gopher Snake
Pituophis catenifer
A snake known to prey on small lizards.
Traits
Solitary
Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
Camouflaged
Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment.
Insectivorous
This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates.
Desert
Desert habitats are arid regions characterized by extremely low precipitation and often extreme temperatures, supporting specialized flora and fauna.
Spiky/Thorny
Possessing sharp, pointed projections or spines on the body or surface.
Carnivorous
This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue.
Diurnal
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Also known as
Short-horned Lizard
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Don't touch wild lizards; they are best admired from a distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Greater Short-horned Lizard?
7-15 cm
How much does Greater Short-horned Lizard weigh?
0.015-0.07 kg
How long does Greater Short-horned Lizard live?
5-8 years
How fast can Greater Short-horned Lizard move?
1.5 km/h
What does Greater Short-horned Lizard eat?
Tiny hunters, they mainly feast on ants, gulping them down with their specialized tongue!
Where is Greater Short-horned Lizard usually found?
Desert
How does Greater Short-horned Lizard hunt?
Ambush
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