Desert Horned Lizard
(Phrynosoma platyrhinos)
Although it is sometimes called by its nickname “horny toad”, the desert horned lizard is definitely not a toad. This medium sized lizard is generally 2-4 inches long with short horns at back of its head, and a flattened body with a short tail. Skin coloration varies from beige, tan, reddish, grey or black and resembles the soil color of its habitat. They have wavy dark blotches on their back with a pair of large dark blotches on their neck. They are typically found in sandy flats, alluvial fans, and along washes and dunes. Their diet consists largely of ants. These horned lizards give birth to live young during the summer. Some members of the horned lizard family are capable of squirting blood out of their eyes as a defense mechanism.
