General Distribution
The desert horned lizard is a common yearlong resident of lower elevation Great Basin
and desert habitats (Behler and King 1979). There is an isolated population in San Jacinto
River Wash, Riverside Co. (Stebbins 1972). Most active April to July in lower elevations, May
to September in higher areas. Found in all desert shrub types and grass/forb stages of
pine-juniper woodlands. Sparse or open habitats are preferred. Elevational range from below
sea level to 1800 m (6000 ft) (Stebbins 1972). Habitat Requirements
Found primarily on sandy and gravelly flats, often in areas of wind-blown sand or
along washes in arid and semiarid regions (Stebbins 1954). Reproduction
Breeds May to June. Most eggs are laid in June and early July. Clutch
size 7-13 eggs (Taylor 1912). Daily/Seasonal Activity
Diurnal (Leviton 1972). Most active April to July at lower elevations, May
to September at higher elevations. Hibernates during cool season. The 'Horney Toad' is not known to migrate. Diet and Foraging
Feeds primarily on ants, also beetles and their larvae, and plant material (Leviton
1972). Forages in rocky and sandy areas (Lawrence and Wilhoft 1958, Shaw 1950),
generally sitting and waiting for prey (Pianka and Parker 1975). Territoriality/Home Range
18-22.5 m (59-74 ft) in diameter (Pianka and Parker 1975). This species uses
assertive displays to defend its territory. (Tollestrup 1981). Predator-Prey Relations
This species overlaps in range with the flat-tailed horned lizard. One record of
predation by prairie falcon (Stebbins 1954); probably eaten by roadrunners and hawks.
Leopard lizards and snakes may prey on this species, but antipredator displays are often
effective (Tollestrup 1981). Literature Cited
Behler, J. L., and F. W. King. 1979. The Audubon Society field guide to North American
Reptiles and amphibians. Alfred Knopf, New York. 743pp.
Lawrence, J., and D. Wilhoft. 1958. Cryptic coloration in lower-dwelling horned lizards.
Copeia 1958:43-44.
Leviton, A. E. 1972. Reptiles and amphibians of North America. Doubleday and Co., New
York. 250pp.
Pianka, E. R., and W. S. Parker. 1975. Ecology of horned lizards: a review with special
reference to Phrynosoma platyrhinos. Copeia 1975:141-162.
Shaw, C. E. 1950. The lizards of San Diego County with descriptions and key. Bull. Zool.
Soc. San Diego 25:1-100.
Stebbins, R. C. 1954. Amphibians and reptiles of western North America. McGraw-Hill,
New York. 536pp.
Stebbins, R. C. 1972. California amphibians and reptiles. Univ. California Press,
Berkeley. 152pp.
Tanner. W. W., and J. E. Krogh. 1973. Ecology of Phrynosoma platyrhinos at the Nevada
Test Site, Nye County, Nevada. Herpetologica 29:327-342.
Taylor, W. P. 1912. Field notes on amphibians, reptiles, and birds of northern Humboldt
County, Nevada, with a discussion of the faunal features of the region. Univ. Calif.
Publ. Zool. 7:319-436.
Tollestrup, K. 1981. The social behavior and displays of two species of horned lizards,
Phrynosoma platyrhinos and Phrynosoma coronatum. Herpetologica 37:130-141.
Information gathered from California DFG - California Interagency Wildlife Task Group
