# Texas Horned Lizard (*Phrynosoma cornutum*) The Texas Horned Lizard is a small, spiky reptile that looks like a tiny dinosaur! It can change color to blend in with its surroundings and loves to bask in the sun. - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 4 - **Habitat:** Desert - **Also known as:** Horny Toad ![Texas Horned Lizard](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Phrynosoma_cornutum_293505046.jpg&width=800) Photo: Brandon Bourassa, CC BY 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Phrynosoma_cornutum_293505046.jpg) ## Appearance The Texas Horned Lizard is a flat-bodied reptile with a spiky crown of horns on its head and two rows of fringe along its sides. Its skin is typically tan, brown, or grey, often speckled with darker blotches for camouflage, making it visually distinct. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Squamata - **Order:** Lacertilia - **Family:** Phrynosomatidae - **Genus:** Phrynosoma ## Interesting facts - Many people call them 'horny toads,' but they are actually lizards, not amphibians! - Texas Horned Lizards can live for up to 10 years in the wild! - Their diet mainly consists of harvester ants, which many other animals avoid! - They can burrow into sand in seconds, vanishing right before your eyes! ## Special abilities - **Eye Blood Squirt:** Texas Horned Lizard can squirt streams of blood from its eyes that helps scare off predators. - **Desert Camouflage:** Texas Horned Lizard has bumpy, patterned skin that helps them blend perfectly with rocks and sand. - **Spiky Armor:** Texas Horned Lizard has sharp horns and spiny scales that protect it from being easily eaten. - **Ant Vacuum Tongue:** Texas Horned Lizard has a sticky tongue that helps them quickly slurp up many ants at once. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 6-12 cm - **Weight:** 0.045-0.1 kg - **Lifespan:** 5-8 years - **Speed:** 10 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 10-30 - **Incubation:** 45-75 days ## Diet & Feeding These lizards primarily eat ants, using their sticky tongue to slurp them up quickly and efficiently. - **Primary Foods:** harvester ants, other ants, termites, small beetles, spiders - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** Red Harvester Ant (*Pogonomyrmex barbatus*) — Primary food source, often found near their nests. - **Eats:** [Rough Harvester Ant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/rough-harvester-ant) (*Pogonomyrmex rugosus*) — Another key ant species in their diet. - **Eaten by:** [Coyote](https://www.snappit.app/explore/coyote) (*Canis latrans*) — Common predator across its range. - **Eaten by:** [Red-tailed Hawk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-tailed-hawk) (*Buteo jamaicensis*) — Bird of prey that hunts ground-dwelling lizards. - **Eaten by:** [Coachwhip](https://www.snappit.app/explore/coachwhip) (*Masticophis flagellum*) — Fast-moving snake that preys on 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. - [Horned](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/horned): Characterized by having one or more hard, permanent, pointed projections on the head. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Thermoregulating](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/thermoregulating): Thermoregulating organisms maintain a stable internal body temperature despite fluctuations in the external environment. - [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. - [Ambush Predator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ambush-predator): An ambush predator hunts by patiently waiting and concealing itself, then launching a sudden attack when unsuspecting prey comes within range. - [Spiky/Thorny](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spiky-thorny): Possessing sharp, pointed projections or spines on the body or surface. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Threatened](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/threatened): Threatened status denotes a species likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future without effective conservation interventions. ## Collections - [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low It's best to watch these lizards from a distance and not touch them, as they can be scared easily. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Texas 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 Texas Horned Lizard? 6-12 cm ### How much does Texas Horned Lizard weigh? 0.045-0.1 kg ### How long does Texas Horned Lizard live? 5-8 years ### How fast can Texas Horned Lizard move? 10 km/h ### What does Texas Horned Lizard eat? These lizards primarily eat ants, using their sticky tongue to slurp them up quickly and efficiently. ### Where is Texas Horned Lizard usually found? Desert ### How does Texas Horned Lizard hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Darlington Agency](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/darlington-agency) — Oklahoma, US · Historic District - [Caldwell Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/caldwell-zoo) — Texas, US · Zoo - [San Antonio Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/san-antonio-zoo) — Texas, US · Zoo - [Caverns of Sonora](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/caverns-of-sonora) — Texas, US · Natural Landmark - [Fort McIntosh](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fort-mcintosh) — US · Historic Site - [King Ranch](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/king-ranch) — Texas, US · Historic Site [View all places to see Texas Horned Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/texas-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: [Texas Horned Lizard: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/texas-horned-lizard)