A List of Horn Lizards

Phrynosoma Asio

• Scientifically called Phrynosoma asio, the long- spined horned lizard is supposedly the largest of the horned lizards and is characterized by two rows of spines on the sides and three rows of spines on the back (dorsal spines), all composed of modified scales, large ridged (keeled) ventral scales (around the head) and long serrated series of scales on the underside of its head (gular scales). However the horns on the back of its head are real horns with a bony center. This species is found on the Pacific Coast in Southern Mexico and in Guatemala. It is also called the giant horned lizard.

Phrynosoma Braconnieri

• Phrynosoma braconnieri, more commonly known as a Short-tailed horned lizard, is a rare species found only in certain areas of Mexico. Its name comes from its tail, which is shorter than its body. This species has one row of side scales, two short, heavy, vertical and separated horns on its head (occipital), a short tail and small horns around the side and on the back of the head (temporal horns).

Phrynosoma Cornutum

• The Texas horned lizard or Phrynosoma cornutum is found throughout North America. This species has a single pair of spines on its head, two rows of fringe scales on its abdomen/sides, large scales on its back, single row of distinct and large spines on the underside of its head, ventral scales with a distinct ridge (keeled) and a white stripe down the middle of its back. This lizard has a strange way of scaring off any predators -- when attacked or threatened,it can aim and squirt a stream of blood from the corners of its eyes.

Phrynosoma Coronatum

• This particular species, Phrynosoma coronatum or the coast horned lizard, is divided into a number of subspecies depending on its geographic location ranging from Central and Southern California to Baja California and mainland Mexico. Almost all the subspecies have similar features which include two horns or spines on its head, two rows of fringe scales on the sides, three or more rows of large spines under its head, smooth ventral scales and four or five spines on the side of its head (temporal scales).

Phrynosoma douglasi, hernandezi,

• Once considered to be the same, the pygmy short-horned lizard Phrynosoma douglasi and short-horned lizard Phrynosoma hernandezi are now classified as two different species sharing certain similarities. Both have very small head spines -- from which they get their name -- and one row of scales on the abdomen. However, the pygmy short-horned lizard is so named because of its small size. The other dissimilarities are: the pygmy short horned lizard has a deep notch between its head spines and the scales on its back (dorsal) are set in a rosette pattern of small ridged scales while those of the other, are set in longitudinal rows. Also, the short-horned lizard has the ability to squirt blood when threatened. The geographic location for the former is the Pacific Northwest, throughout western America, extreme southern British Columbia and into Canada while the latter is found throughout North America. Both however, are found in the mountainous regions.

Phrynosoma Ditmarsi

• Also called the Ditmars' horned lizard, Phrynosoma ditmarsi or the rock-horned lizard, has the shortest horns of all the horned lizards as well as a short tail. Its temporal and occipital horns are just small, expanded bumps. It also has ridges on its head, a notch between its occipital horns and small, ridged gular scales. The jaws jut out vertically and it has four, small vertical spines in the neck area. Aside from the row of fringe scales on its sides, it has large ridged scales on its back and tail with smaller scales around some of their bases. This lizard is found in Northern Mexico, especially in Sonora.

Phrynosoma Mcallii

• The Phrynosoma mcallii or flat-tailed horned lizard used to be widely distributed throughout northern America but now, it's found only in parts of the Sonoran Desert, northern Mexico and Arizona. It has two or three rows of scales on its sides; a broad, flat tail; two long, sharp horns on its head and six horns on the back of its head; a large row of gular scales and a stripe down its back whose color depends upon the lizard's environment.

Phrynosoma Modestum

• Phrynosoma modestum, or round-tailed horned lizard obviously gets its name from its tail which is rounded. These lizards do not have any scales on their abdomen or spines on the rest of their body. Its has four short horns on its head, all of equal size and sometimes patches on its neck and ringed pattern on its tail. This lizard is found in western Texas, Arizona, New Mexico and Mexico.

Phrynosoma Orbiculare, Platyrhinos

• Both named desert horned lizard, these two species mainly inhabit the drier, arid regions but their locations differ as do their characteristics. The Chihuahua desert horned lizard or the Phrynosoma orbiculare, is short-tailed horned lizard with two short horns on their head, numerous temporal horns and smooth scales around the head.

  On the other hand, the desert horned lizard or Phrynosoma platyrhinos, has two somewhat longer horns on its head and a blunt, rounded snout. Both species however, have only one row of fringe scales on their sides or abdomen. Geographically, both are found in Mexico, but the latter is more common north of the border.

Phrynosoma Solare, Taurus

• Phrynosoma solare or the regal horned lizard has a crown of four large horns on its head and six large temporal horns all connected at the base. They have only one row of scales on their sides and ridged or keeled scales around the head and neck area. This particular species inhabits the Sonoran desert and certain other areas of Mexico.

  Native only to Mexico, the Phrynosoma taurus or Mexican horned lizard has two small horns on its head with an indentation separating them and two heavy, elongated temporal spines. It also has one row of fringes scales on its abdomen and ridged ventral scales like many others of its kind.