Greater short-horned lizard

The genus Phrynosoma, means toad-bodied. The specific name, hernandesi, honors Francisco Hernández (1514–1587), a Spanish physician who wrote an early account of a horned lizard, which was published in 1615. ==Distribution==

The greater short-horned lizard is the most widely distributed horned lizard in North America and occurs in the widest range of habitats: West into central Nevada, east into North and South Dakota, north to southern Saskatchewan and Alberta, and then south into eastern New Mexico to central Mexico, with a few pockets in Trans-Pecos Texas. This species of lizard is mostly an arid mountain dweller living in the range of 900–11,300 feet (170–3440 m). ==Habitat==

The greater short-horned lizard occupies habitats from semiarid plains to high elevations in the mountains. This species is frequently found in a wide range of habitats like shortgrass prairies, sagebrush deserts, and juniper, pine, or fir forests. The soil in these habitats can be stony or rocky but usually has fine loose soil or sand present. The greater short-horned lizard is more cold tolerant than other species and is able to reach higher elevations and a greater distribution where the temperature is much cooler. ==Description==

The greater short-horned lizard is often mistaken for its close relative the pygmy short-horned lizard (Phrynosoma douglasii), which has the same basic body type consisting of small pointed scales around the head and back. It has a snub-nosed profile and short legs. The trunk is fringed by one row of pointed scales, while the belly scales are smooth. The color is gray, yellowish, or reddish-brown, and there are two rows of large dark spots on the back. When threatened or aggressive, its colors become more intense. Females grow to larger sizes than males: females average about 7 cm (about 2.75 inches) SVL, with a maximum total length (including tail) of about 15 cm (about 6 inches), and weigh about ; whereas males have an SVL of only about 5 cm (about 2 inches), and weigh on the average about . The adult male dermatocranial shape resembles that to be expected of a subadult female of the same body size. ==Behavior==

The greater short-horned lizard is a "sit-and-wait" predator. It feeds primarily on ants, but also takes an occasional grasshopper or beetle. Often, it can be found sitting in the vicinity of a nest or trails. It is a diurnal creature, being most active during the evening and burrowing at night. It relies extensively on camouflage to avoid predators. Horned lizards have been shown to darken their skin when threatened or to regulate temperature. Defenses , in Montana Typically, greater short-horned lizards will remain as still as possible when a predator is nearby, attempting to blend in with the environment. However, if provoked, some species of horned lizards can build up blood pressure in regions behind their eyes and accurately squirt their blood at attacking predators, which will deter canids from continuing their attack. It is rare for horned lizards to squirt blood at humans however, reserving this unique defense primarily for canids (i.e. foxes, coyotes, dogs), which have a strong reaction of distaste to the blood. ==Reproduction==

The mating season for P. hernandesi is in spring (May to June). It is viviparous, giving live birth: the female births five to 48 offspring from July to September. The young measure about SVL and weigh each about . The young have no horns yet and are able to take care of themselves within a few hours; they are not able to fully crawl until they are a day old. Males become sexually active after their first year of life, and females generally take two years before they can start reproducing. == Gallery ==

File:Greater Short-horned Lizard, Grant County, NM, USA imported from iNaturalist photo 76950445.jpg|Showing underside, in New Mexico File:Greater Short-horned Lizard, Fallon County, Montana, USA imported from iNaturalist photo 109788221.jpg|In Montana File:Greater Short-horned Lizard, Emery County, UT, USA imported from iNaturalist photo 382295521.jpg|In Utah File:Greater Short-horned Lizard, Flagstaff arboretum imported from iNaturalist photo 162169.jpg|In Arizona File:Greater Short-horned Lizard, Mogollon Rim, Coconino County, Arizona, United States imported from iNaturalist photo 9948409.jpg|In Arizona File:Greater Short-horned Lizard imported from iNaturalist photo 133449794 on 10 December 2025.jpg File:Greater Short-horned Lizard, Fremont County, WY, USA imported from iNaturalist photo 129935946.jpg|In Wyoming File:Greater Short-horned Lizard, Coconino National Forest, Flagstaff, AZ, US imported from iNaturalist photo 219281418.jpg|In Arizona File:Greater Short-horned Lizard, Mogollon Rim, Coconino County, AZ, USA imported from iNaturalist photo 9950807 (rotated).jpg|In Arizona File:Greater Short-horned Lizard, Santa Cruz County, AZ, USA imported from iNaturalist photo 429759198 (rotated).jpg|In Arizona File:Greater Short-horned Lizard, San Miguel County, NM, USA imported from iNaturalist photo 172636784 (rotated).jpg|In New Mexico File:Greater Short-horned Lizard, Sierra County, NM, USA imported from iNaturalist photo 75148125 (rotated).jpg|In New Mexico File:Greater Short-horned Lizard, Golden Open Space, Sandoval County, NM, USA imported from iNaturalist photo 314845647.jpg|In New Mexico ==References==