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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
Greater Short-horned Lizard
solitary trait badgecamouflaged trait badgeinsectivorous trait badgedesert trait badge
Greater Short-horned Lizard

Category

Reptiles

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

10

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

Traits

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 to identify Greater Short-horned Lizard?

The easiest way to identify Greater Short-horned Lizard is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.

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

Snap Map

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Where to spot

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