Southern Desert Horned Lizard
Phrynosoma platyrhinos calidarium
Horned Lizards blend into their habitat so well that unless they move you may never see them. They don't rely on speed for protection but on camoflauge. Most species are also armed with dagger-like spikes at the base of their skulls that can also help to fend off some predators. Some species also have the ability to spray blood from their eyes which seems to discourage some animals such as foxes and coyotes from eating them. A very large part of the Horned Lizard's diet consists of ants. This makes them unsuitable to be kept as pets. Please leave these animals in their native environment if you discover one. They will slowly die of malnutrition in captivity. The two lizards in the photo to the left were found mating on a jeep trail in Joshua Tree National Park. The male seemed to have a firm grasp on the female's neck which he refused to give up even after I picked them up and put them safely out of the way of my Jeep's tires. The other lizard was photographed in the Cerbat Mountains north of Kingman,Arizona.
