General Description: Greater Short-horned Lizards (Phrynosoma hernandesi) are small to medium-sized (2 to 4 in.) lizards with broad, flattened bodies and a row of very short horns on the back of the head. With a toad-like body form, these lizards are often called "horny toads."
This species of Horned Lizard does not occur in southern Nevada. Look for them at the Grand Canyon, Zion, and places farther east and north.
Taxonomy: Phrynosomatid Lizard Family (Phrynosomatidae). Formerly Phrynosoma douglassii, a name now used for the more northern Pygmy Short-Horned Lizard.
Technical Description: Body length to 4 in.; tail about 1 in. Body flat. Edge of sides with one row of small, fringed scales. Head fringed with row of very short horns. Some dorsal scales sharp-pointed. Throat scales all small. Dorsum blotched with pattern and color resembling the background; base color beige, tan, or reddish; sides of neck with dark blotches. Ventral color cream; often tinge of light yellow on base of throat and chest. Snout blunt. |