# 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! - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 10 - **Habitat:** Desert - **Also known as:** Short-horned Lizard ![Greater Short-horned Lizard](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Greater_Short-horned_Lizard_Rucker_Rd_Chiricahuas_AZ_2017-09-30_12-32-25_%2823889765878%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: Bettina Arrigoni, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Greater_Short-horned_Lizard_Rucker_Rd_Chiricahuas_AZ_2017-09-30_12-32-25_%2823889765878%29.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Squamata - **Order:** Lacertilia - **Family:** Phrynosomatidae - **Genus:** Phrynosoma ## 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 - **Eye-Popping Spray:** Greater Short-horned Lizards can squirt a stream of blood from their eyes that helps them scare away predators like coyotes. - **Spine Shield:** Greater Short-horned Lizards have sharp, bony spines all over their body that helps them become a prickly, tough meal for predators. - **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 - **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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-tailed-hawk) (*Buteo jamaicensis*) — A common avian predator hunting from the sky. - **Hunts:** [Coyote](https://www.snappit.app/explore/coyote) (*Canis latrans*) — Mammalian predator that hunts them on the ground. - **Hunts:** [Gopher Snake](https://www.snappit.app/explore/gopher-snake) (*Pituophis catenifer*) — A snake known to prey on small lizards. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Desert](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/desert): Desert habitats are arid regions characterized by extremely low precipitation and often extreme temperatures, supporting specialized flora and fauna. - [Spiky/Thorny](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spiky-thorny): Possessing sharp, pointed projections or spines on the body or surface. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. ## Collections - [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles) ## 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? Compare toes, scales, head shape, crests and tail proportions. Many lizards can drop and regrow their tails, so a short tail isn't always a species trait. Lizard Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### 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 ## Where to spot - [Bryce Canyon National Park Scenic Trails Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bryce-canyon-national-park-scenic-trails-historic-district) — Utah, US · Trail - [Toadstool Geologic Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/toadstool-geologic-park) — Nebraska, US · Nature Reserve - [The Living Planet Aquarium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/the-living-planet-aquarium) — Utah, US · Zoo - [Camino del Monte Sol Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/camino-del-monte-sol-historic-district) — New Mexico, US · Historic District - [Gallup Commercial Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/gallup-commercial-historic-district) — New Mexico, US · Historic District - [Grand Canyon Inn and Campground](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/grand-canyon-inn-and-campground) — Arizona, US · Historic Site [View all places to see Greater Short-horned Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/greater-short-horned-lizard) ## More Reptiles - [Pond Slider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pond-slider) (*Trachemys scripta*) - [Western Fence Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-fence-lizard) (*Sceloporus occidentalis*) - [Common Five-lined Skink](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-five-lined-skink) (*Plestiodon fasciatus*) - [Desert Spiny Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/desert-spiny-lizard) (*Sceloporus magister*) --- Source: [Greater Short-horned Lizard: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/greater-short-horned-lizard)