Details
Phrynosoma platyrhinos
The desert horned lizard is a small Nearctic desert lizard. Diurnal and solitary, it relies on a flattened body and sandy colors to disappear on the ground.
Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)
It uses desert, sandy shrubland, and dry open ground. Basking sites, loose sand, and quick shelter are important.
Length is about 7-12 cm and weight about 10-30 g. A flat rounded body, short tail, head spines, and sand-colored mottling define it.
It is active by day but retreats into shade or sand when heat is severe. When threatened, it may flatten and freeze to avoid detection.
It is carnivorous, feeding mainly on ants and other small insects. It waits on the surface and snaps up prey that comes close.
Eggs are laid underground in warm seasons. Hatchlings are tiny and grow while relying on camouflage and small insect prey.
Its status is listed as Least Concern. It is tightly adapted to desert microhabitats and local surface-insect communities.
