The Southern Desert Horned Lizard

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The Southern Desert Horned Lizard

The Southern Desert Horned Lizard

The Southern Desert Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma platyrhinos calidiarum) basking in the sun, encountered en route to Horn Toad Peak (named after him a short while later) and Little Pyramid Peak. Redstone area of Lake Mead NRA, Nevada. Late March 2008. These lizards are often called horn toads. Despite their ferocious looks, they are very gentle. They should not be picked off the desert and kept as pets as they can only survive on a very specialized diet. If they are not provided with certain species of ants, they soon die in captivity. Here's another close up of the same lizard
Anya Jingle
on Apr 1, 2008 6:14 pm
Image Type(s): Wildlife
Image ID: 393245

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Dow Williams

Dow Williams - Apr 1, 2008 7:32 pm - Voted 10/10

yes....

but how tempting to make a pet, eh? Any chance I would see one of these at Red Rocks or St. George Anya?

Anya Jingle

Anya Jingle - Apr 1, 2008 10:50 pm - Hasn't voted

Re: yes....

For me not really because I prefer to have a pet that loves me back and smiles at me every day :) I imagine for some people it is tempting, for kids especially.
This was actually the first time I have ever seen a horned lizard in the wild and not on tv or picture, so it was very exciting. I have never seen them in Red Rocks. The lizards you will see in RR are Side-Blotched, Western Fence and Whiptail. As for those more exotic looking ones, like Horned and Leopard you have much better chances to find them in remote areas of Lake Mead. It is because there are no tourists there that would pick them off the desert. I have seen some Zebra-Tailed ones even in a remote wash of Lake Mead NRA. Cheers.

Dow Williams

Dow Williams - Apr 1, 2008 11:40 pm - Voted 10/10

Re: yes....

but I am pretty sure he is smiling!

Anya Jingle

Anya Jingle - Apr 2, 2008 1:45 am - Hasn't voted

Re: yes....

Ha, ha... I don't think I'm up for a daily ant hunt for him though ;)

Lodewijk

Lodewijk - Apr 2, 2008 3:58 am - Voted 10/10

Wow

That's a great looking creature!! Did he walk off by 'the gremlins' or something :P
Lodewijk

Anya Jingle

Anya Jingle - Apr 2, 2008 4:24 pm - Hasn't voted

Re: Wow

Thank you. They do look very peculiar and you wouldn't believe how well they blend in with the rocks and sand.
Greetings, AJ.

lcarreau

lcarreau - Apr 4, 2008 12:49 am - Voted 10/10

From previous

encounters, these lizards have a peculiar way of behaving around people. Do you notice how the lizard is becoming flat like a waffle or pancake??? That means he wants you to share breakfast with him! I'll have the wheat toast with the raspberry jam !!!
- Larry :)

Viewing: 1-7 of 7