Horned Lizards
Short-horned Lizard
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Sauropsida Order: Squamata Family: Phrynosomatidae Genus: Phrynosoma Wiegmann, 1828
Species
See text. from [1], a National Park Service web site. ... The Short-horned Lizard is a small lizard that occurs in North America. ... Scientific classification or biological classification is a method by which biologists group and categorize species of organisms. ... Animalia redirects here. ... Typical Classes See below Chordates (phylum Chordata) are a group of animals that includes the vertebrates, together with several closely related invertebrates. ... Subclasses Anapsida Diapsida Synonyms Reptilia Laurenti, 1768 Reptiles are tetrapods and amniotes, animals whose embryos are surrounded by an amniotic membrane, and members of the class Sauropsida. ... Suborders Lacertilia- Lizards Serpentes - Snakes Amphisbaenia - Worm lizards This article is about the Squamata order of reptiles. ... Genera Callisaurus Cophosaurus Holbrookia Petrosaurus Phrynosoma Sator Sceloporus Uma Urosaurus Uta Phrynosomatidae is a family of lizards. ... Arend Friedrich August Wiegmann (1802 - German zoologist. ...

Horned lizards (Phrynosoma) are a genus of the Phrynosomatidae family of lizards. The horned lizard is popularly called a "horned toad," "horny toad", or "horned frog," but it is neither a toad nor a frog. The popular names come from the lizard's rounded body and blunt snout, which give it a decidedly toad-like or frog-like appearance. (Phrynosoma literally means "toad-bodied.") The spines on the back and sides of this lizard are made from modified scales, whereas the horns on the heads are true horns (i.e. they have a bony core). Genera Callisaurus Cophosaurus Holbrookia Petrosaurus Phrynosoma Sator Sceloporus Uma Urosaurus Uta Phrynosomatidae is a family of lizards. ... For other uses, see Lizard (disambiguation). ... Families At least 9, see article. ... Distribution of frogs (in black) Suborders Archaeobatrachia Mesobatrachia Neobatrachia - List of Anuran families The frog is an amphibian in the order Anura (meaning tail-less from Greek an-, without + oura, tail), formerly referred to as Salientia (Latin saltare, to jump). ... For other uses, see Lizard (disambiguation). ...

There are 14 species of horned lizards in North America, 8 of which are native to the United States. The largest-bodied and most widely distributed of the U.S. species is the Texas horned lizard (P. cornutum). World map showing North America A satellite composite image of North America. ... Binomial name Phrynosoma cornutum (Harlan, 1825) The Texas horned lizard (Phrynosoma cornutum) is one of 14 North American species of spikey-bodied reptiles called horned lizards. ...

Horny lizards are morphologically similar to the Australian thorny devil (Moloch horridus), but are only distantly related. Though due to other unique similarities, such as being sit-and-wait predators and preying upon ants, these two are considered to be a great example of convergent evolution. Binomial name Moloch horridus Gray, 1841 The Thorny Devil (Moloch horridus) is also known as the Thorny Dragon, Thorny Lizard, or the Moloch. ... In evolutionary biology, convergent evolution is the process whereby organisms not closely related, independently evolve similar traits as a result of having to adapt to similar environments or ecological niches. ...

Horned lizards carry with them a wide variety of means to avoid predation. Their coloration generally serves as camouflage. When threatened, a horned lizard's first defense is to remain still and hope it avoids detection. If it is approached too closely and is forced to move, it generally runs in short bursts and stops abruptly, hoping to confuse the predator's visual acuity. If this fails, it will puff up its body to cause its spiny scales to protrude, making it appear larger and more difficult to swallow. At least four species also have the ability to squirt an aimed stream of blood from the corners of the eyes for a distance of up to 3 feet. The horned lizard is able to do this by restricting the blood flow leaving its head, thereby increasing blood pressure and rupturing tiny vessels around the eyelids. This not only confuses would-be predators, but the blood is also foul-tasting to canine and feline predators. It appears to have no effect against predatory birds. But the horned lizard has yet more defenses in its bag of tricks should a predator attempt to pick it up. By ducking or elevating its head and allowing its cranial horns to be oriented straight up, or back, the horned lizard can attempt to defeat a predator from taking it by the head or neck. If the predator attempts to take it by the body, the horned lizard will drive that side of its body downward into the ground so that the predator cannot easily get its lower jaw underneath the lizard. Countershaded Ibex are almost invisible in the Israeli desert. ...

The diet of most horned lizards species varies from 60-90% harvester ants of the genus Pogonomyrmex, though they are opportunistic and supplement these with termites, beetles, grasshoppers and other small insects. In California, Texas, and other states, horned lizards are considered threatened and given state protection, though none are on the federal endangered species list. 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. The decline is usually blamed on development/destruction of habitat, the spread of non-native South American ants which compete and war with the harvester ant, and from overuse of pesticides which kill harvester ants. In California, the introduced species is the Argentine ant. In Texas, it is both the Argentine ant and the Brazilian fire ant. Both species are highly aggressive, fiercely territorial, and prey upon harvester ant queens, destroying the horned lizard's principal source of food. Official language(s) English Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Area  Ranked 3rd  - Total 158,302 sq mi (410,000 km²)  - Width 250 miles (400 km)  - Length 770 miles (1,240 km)  - % water 4. ... Official language(s) No Official Language See languages of Texas Capital Austin Largest city Houston Area  Ranked 2nd  - Total 261,797 sq mi (678,051 km²)  - Width 773 miles (1,244 km)  - Length 790 miles (1,270 km)  - % water 2. ... Binomial name Phrynosoma cornutum (Harlan, 1825) The Texas horned lizard (Phrynosoma cornutum) is one of 14 North American species of spikey-bodied reptiles called horned lizards. ... Official language(s) English Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Area  Ranked 3rd  - Total 158,302 sq mi (410,000 km²)  - Width 250 miles (400 km)  - Length 770 miles (1,240 km)  - % water 4. ... South America South America is a continent crossed by the equator, with most of its area in the Southern Hemisphere. ... Official language(s) English Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Area  Ranked 3rd  - Total 158,302 sq mi (410,000 km²)  - Width 250 miles (400 km)  - Length 770 miles (1,240 km)  - % water 4. ... Binomial name Linepithema humile Mayr, 1868 Native to Argentina and Brazil, the Argentine ant (Linepithema humile or Iridomyrmex humilis) has spread to many areas around the world like Africa, Australia and many parts of United States, including Texas and California. ... Official language(s) No Official Language See languages of Texas Capital Austin Largest city Houston Area  Ranked 2nd  - Total 261,797 sq mi (678,051 km²)  - Width 773 miles (1,244 km)  - Length 790 miles (1,270 km)  - % water 2. ... Binomial name Linepithema humile Mayr, 1868 Native to Argentina and Brazil, the Argentine ant (Linepithema humile or Iridomyrmex humilis) has spread to many areas around the world like Africa, Australia and many parts of United States, including Texas and California. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Red imported fire ant. ... The red harvester ant (Pogonomyrmex barbatus) is a large (5mm - 7mm) ant common in the southwest United States. ...

Some Native American peoples regarded horned lizards as sacred. The animal is a common motif in the art many Native Americans in the Southwestern U.S. and in Mexico. Native Americans are the indigenous peoples from the regions of North America now encompassed by the continental United States, including parts of Alaska. ... Native Americans are the indigenous peoples from the regions of North America now encompassed by the continental United States, including parts of Alaska. ...

The horned lizard is the state reptile of both Texas and Wyoming, and as the "horned frog," is the mascot of Texas Christian University (TCU). Subclasses Anapsida Diapsida Synonyms Reptilia Laurenti, 1768 Reptiles are tetrapods and amniotes, animals whose embryos are surrounded by an amniotic membrane, and members of the class Sauropsida. ... Official language(s) No Official Language See languages of Texas Capital Austin Largest city Houston Area  Ranked 2nd  - Total 261,797 sq mi (678,051 km²)  - Width 773 miles (1,244 km)  - Length 790 miles (1,270 km)  - % water 2. ... Official language(s) English Capital Cheyenne Largest city Cheyenne Area  Ranked 10th  - Total 97,818 sq mi (253,348 km²)  - Width 280 miles (450 km)  - Length 360 miles (580 km)  - % water 0. ... Texas Christian University is a private, coeducational university located in Fort Worth, Texas. ...

Species

• Giant Horned Lizard, Phrynosoma asio (Cope, 1864)
• Short-tailed Horned Lizard, Phrynosoma braconnieri (Duméril, 1870)
• Cedros Island Horned Lizard, Phrynosoma cerroense (Stejneger, 1893)
• Texas Horned Lizard, Phrynosoma cornutum (Harlan, 1825)
• Coast Horned Lizard, Phrynosoma coronatum

• Cape Horned Lizard, Phrynosoma coronatum coronatum (Blainville, 1835)
• San Diego Horned Lizard, Phrynosoma coronatum blainvillii (Gray, 1839)
• California Horned Lizard, Phrynosoma coronatum frontale (Van Denburgh, 1894)
• Central Peninsular Horned Lizard, Phrynosoma coronatum jamesi (Schmidt, 1922)
• Northern Peninsular Horned Lizard, Phrynosoma coronatum schmidti (Barbour, 1921)

• Rock Horned Lizard, Phrynosoma ditmarsi (Stejneger, 1906)
• Short-horned Lizard, Phrynosoma douglassii

• Phrynosoma douglassi brachycercum (Smith, 1942)
• Phrynosoma douglasii douglasii (Bell, 1828)

• Mountain Short-horned Lizard, Phrynosoma hernandesi (Girard, 1858)
• Flat-tail Horned Lizard, Phrynosoma mcallii (Hallowell, 1852)
• Roundtail Horned Lizard, Phrynosoma modestum (Girard, 1852)

Comparison of P. modestum and P. platyrhinos

• Mexican Plateau Horned Lizard, Phrynosoma orbiculare

• Phrynosoma orbiculare boucardii (Duméril & Bocourt, 1870)
• Phrynosoma orbiculare bradti (Horowitz, 1955)
• Phrynosoma orbiculare orbiculare (Linnaeus, 1789)
• Phrynosoma orbiculare orinetale (Horowitz, 1955)
• Phrynosoma orbiculare cortezii (Duméril & Bocourt, 1870)
• Phrynosoma orbiculare dugesii (Duméril & Bocourt, 1870)

• Desert Horned Lizard, Phrynosoma platyrhinos

• Southern Desert Horned Lizard, Phrynosoma platyrhinos calidiarum (Cope, 1896)
• Northern Desert Horned Lizard, Phrynosoma platyrhinos platyrhinos (Girard, 1852)
• Sonoran Horned Lizard, Phrynosoma platyrhinos goodei (Stejneger, 1893)

• Regal Horned Lizard, Phrynosoma solare (Gray, 1845)
• Mexican Horned Lizard, Phrynosoma taurus (Dugés, 1873)
• Gulf Coast Horned Lizard, Phrynosoma wigginsi (Montanucci, 2004)

The giant horned lizard (Phrynosoma asio) can be found on the Pacific coast in southern Mexico. ... The giant horned lizard (Phrynosoma asio) can be found on the Pacific coast in southern Mexico. ... Edward Drinker Cope Edward Drinker Cope (July 28, 1840–April 12, 1897) was an American paleontologist and comparative anatomist, as well as a noted herpetologist and ichthyologist. ... 1864 (MDCCCLXIV) was a leap year starting on Friday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar or a leap year starting on Sunday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar. ... Binomial name Phrynosoma braconnieri (Duméril & Bocourt, 1870) The short-tailed horned lizard (Phrynosoma braconnieri) is a very rare lizard. ... Binomial name Phrynosoma braconnieri (Duméril & Bocourt, 1870) The short-tailed horned lizard (Phrynosoma braconnieri) is a very rare lizard. ... Auguste Duméril. ... 1870 (MDCCCLXX) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Monday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... Leonhard Hess Stejneger (October 30, 1851 - February 28, 1943) was a zoologist. ... Year 1893 (MDCCCXCIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... Binomial name Phrynosoma cornutum (Harlan, 1825) The Texas horned lizard (Phrynosoma cornutum) is one of 14 North American species of spikey-bodied reptiles called horned lizards. ... Binomial name Phrynosoma cornutum The Texas horned lizard (Phrynosoma cornutum) is a small lizard that occurs in North America. ... Richard Harlan (September 19, 1796 - September 30, 1843) was an American naturalist, zoologist, physicist and paleontologist. ... Opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway 1825 (MDCCCXXV) was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... Binomial name Phrynosoma coronatum The coast horned lizard (Phrynosoma coronatum) can be found from Baja,California north to the Sacramento valley. ... Binomial name Phrynosoma coronatum The coast horned lizard (Phrynosoma coronatum) can be found from Baja,California north to the Sacramento valley. ... Henri Marie Ducrotay de Blainville Henri Marie Ducrotay de Blainville (September 12, 1777 - May 1, 1850) was a French zoologist and anatomist. ... | Come and take it, slogan of the Texas Revolution 1835 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... John Edward Gray. ... 1839 (MDCCCXXXIX) was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... 1894 (MDCCCXCIV) was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... Karl Patterson Schmidt (born June 19, 1890 in Lake Forest, Illinois, died September 26, 1957 in Chicago) was a notable American herpetologist. ... Year 1922 (MCMXXII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar). ... Thomas Barbour (1884 - 1946) was an American herpetologist. ... Year 1921 (MCMXXI) was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for full calendar). ... The Rock horned lizard, or Ditmars horned lizard, is a phrynosoma found in Sonora in northern Mexico, south of the Arizona border. ... The Rock horned lizard, or Ditmars horned lizard, is a phrynosoma found in Sonora in northern Mexico, south of the Arizona border. ... Leonhard Hess Stejneger (October 30, 1851 - February 28, 1943) was a zoologist. ... 1906 (MCMVI) was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... The Short-horned Lizard is a small lizard that occurs in North America. ... Binomial name see text The Short-horned Lizard is a small lizard that occurs in North America. ... Hobart Muir Smith (born Frederick William Stouffer, on September 26, 1912 in Stanwood, Iowa, USA) is an American herpetologist. ... 1942 (MCMXLII) was a common year starting on Thursday (the link is to a full 1942 calendar). ... Year 1828 (MDCCCXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian Calendar (or a leap year starting on Thursday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... Binomial name see text The Short-horned Lizard is a small lizard that occurs in North America. ... Binomial name see text The Short-horned Lizard is a small lizard that occurs in North America. ... Charles Frédéric Girard (March 8, 1822 - January 29, 1895) was a French biologist specializing on ichthyology and herpetology. ... 1858 (MDCCCLVIII) is a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Sunday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ... Binomial name Phrynosoma mcallii The flat-tailed horned lizard (Phrynosoma mcallii) is named for Col. ... Binomial name Phrynosoma mcallii The flat-tailed horned lizard (Phrynosoma mcallii) is named for Col. ... Edward Hallowell (1808 - 1860) was an American physician and herpetologist. ... 1852 was a leap year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... The roundtail horned lizard is the smallest species of horned lizard. ... Binomial name Phrynosoma modestum Girard, 1852 The roundtail horned lizard (Phrynosoma modestum) is the smallest species of horned lizard. ... 1852 was a leap year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... Image File history File linksMetadata Horned_lizards. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Horned_lizards. ... The Mexican plateau horned lizard (Phrynosoma orbiculare) is a heavily spined horned lizard. ... The Mexican plateau horned lizard (Phrynosoma orbiculare) is a heavily spined horned lizard. ... Auguste Duméril. ... Marie Firmin Bocourt (1819 - 1904) was a French zoologist and artist. ... 1870 (MDCCCLXX) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Monday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... 1955 (MCMLV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Carolus Linnaeus, also known after his ennoblement as  , (May 23, 1707[1] – January 10, 1778), was a Swedish botanist, physician and zoologist[2] who laid the foundations for the modern scheme of nomenclature. ... 1789 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... 1955 (MCMLV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Auguste Duméril. ... Marie Firmin Bocourt (1819 - 1904) was a French zoologist and artist. ... 1870 (MDCCCLXX) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Monday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... Auguste Duméril. ... Marie Firmin Bocourt (1819 - 1904) was a French zoologist and artist. ... 1870 (MDCCCLXX) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Monday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... [[{{{diversity_link}}}|Diversity]] {{{diversity}}} Binomial name Phrynosoma platyrhinos Trinomial name {{{trinomial}}} Type Species {{{type_species}}} {{{subdivision_ranks}}} [[Image:{{{range_map}}}|{{{range_map_width}}}|]] Synonyms {{{synonyms}}} The Desert horned lizard (or as ben calls it the horned toad cause hes an isu pussy) is a horned lizard native to western North America. ... Binomial name Phrynosoma platyrhinos Girard, 1852 The Desert horned lizard (Phrynosoma platyrhinos) is a horned lizard native to western North America. ... Edward Drinker Cope Edward Drinker Cope (July 28, 1840–April 12, 1897) was an American paleontologist and comparative anatomist, as well as a noted herpetologist and ichthyologist. ... Year 1896 (MDCCCXCVI) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display calendar). ... Charles Frédéric Girard (March 8, 1822 - January 29, 1895) was a French biologist specializing on ichthyology and herpetology. ... 1852 was a leap year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... Leonhard Hess Stejneger (October 30, 1851 - February 28, 1943) was a zoologist. ... Year 1893 (MDCCCXCIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... John Edward Gray. ... 1845 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... 1873 (MDCCCLXXIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

• Horned lizard skulls and info at Digimorph.org
• Horned Lizard Conservation Society
• Phrynosoma.Org: HL Species, Husbandry, and Conservation Info
• The Cold Blooded News - The Horned Lizards
• Horned Lizards
• Argentine ants linked to declines in coastal horned lizards
• TCU page on their mascot
• Horny Toads - Field study of Short-horned Lizards by students of Waterville Elementary School

References

• The European Molecular Biology Laboratory Reptile Database