Sunday, May 01, 2011

Short-horned lizard (Phrynosoma hernandesi)

I was super excited to find some 'horned toads' in Spring Valley. We found and caught three of them. There are two species in the area. Now I'll have to keep my eyes open for the Desert Horned lizard (Phrynosoma platyrhinos).











Here is the species information from the Great Basin National Park site.
Unique Characteristics: Small dagger-like head spines (horns).
Description: Beige, brown, gray, or reddish above, rear of throat and chest buff or yellowish orange, 1.75-4.3 inches (4.4-10.8 cm).
Similar Species: Desert horned lizard has longer horns.
Habitat: Found on loose soils in sagebrush and pinyon/juniper habitats, below 11,000 feet.
Range: Found in Spring and Steptoe valleys.
Food: Ants, spiders, snails, insects.
Reproduction: Oviviparous, 5-36 young born July-September.

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