Texas Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma cornutum)
Other Names Horny Toad Texas Status Threatened Description The Texas horned lizard or "horny toad" is a flat-bodied and fierce-looking lizard.
Texas Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma cornutum)
Description: 2¼" to 4" snout-vent length; to 7" overall. Color brownish to grayish, with large sooty to dark brown irregular blotches on back. Light stripe down center of back.
Texas Horned Lizard
Relatives in same Genus
Coast Horned Lizard (P. coronatum)
Flat-tail Horned Lizard (P. mcallii)
Roundtail Horned Lizard (P. modestum)
Desert Horned Lizard (P. platyrhinos) ...
Texas Horned Lizard Species Profile
Texas Horned Lizard Stats
Scientific Name: Phrynosoma cornutum
Family: Iguanidae
Adult Size: 3 to 5 inches
Range: South-central U.S. and into Mexico ...
Texas Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma cornutum) - Introduced
Photos by J.D. Willson unless otherwise noted ...
Texas Horned Lizard
Sighting:
Comanche National Grassland, Otero County, Colorado ...
Texas Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma cornutum)
Description
Habitats
Habits and Life History
Prey and Hunting Techniques ...
Texas Horned Lizard Phrynosoma cornutum. Exotic. Reportedly established along the coast in some localities. May occur in relatively open, sandy areas.
Texas Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma cornutum)
photo credit: Jeff Beane
Snakes
Pit vipers have paired sensory structures known as pit organs located on the sides of the head between the nostril and the eye.
The Texas Horned Lizard or Horned Toad, Phrynosoma cornutum, a native of the Midwest, is found in dry habitats. It has a round, flat, spiny body, 4" long. It is light brown with dark brown blotches.
The Texas horned lizard has declined in about 30% of its range, though there is some indication it may be making a comeback. Some California horned lizard species are also in decline.
Their empty burrows are used by the Burrowing Owl, the Texas Horned Lizard, the Black-footed Ferret and rabbits and hares. They also cut down large weeds and brush so they can see better. This keeps the prairies from getting overgrown with trees.
Other Iguanids:
Collared Lizard - Crotaphytus collaris
Conehead Lizard - Laemanctus longipes
Chuckwalla - Sauromalus (6 species)
Horned Toad or Texas Horned Lizard
- Phrynosoma cornutum
Keel-tailed Lizard - Tropidurus torquatus ...
 See also: Lizard, Horned Lizard, Burro, Reptile, Snake
|
