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| '''Horned lizards''' (''Phrynosoma'') are a genus of the | '''Horned lizards''' (''Phrynosoma'') are a genus of the | ||
| ] family of ]s. Horned lizards are often wrongly called "horned toads" or "horny toads", but are not ]s at all. They are ]s, not ]. The word ''Phrynosoma'' broken down |
] family of ]s. Horned lizards are often wrongly called "horned toads" or "horny toads", but are not ]s at all. They are ]s, not ]. The word ''Phrynosoma'' broken down truly means frog (''phryno-'') body (''soma''). | ||
| Horned lizards are morphologically similar to the ]n ] (''Moloch horridus''), but are only distantly related. Though due to other unique similarities such as being sit an wait predators, and prey upon ants these two are considered to be a great example of ]. | Horned lizards are morphologically similar to the ]n ] (''Moloch horridus''), but are only distantly related. Though due to other unique similarities such as being sit an wait predators, and prey upon ants these two are considered to be a great example of ]. | ||
Revision as of 04:13, 14 November 2005
Template:Taxobox begin Template:Taxobox image Template:Taxobox begin placement Template:Taxobox regnum entry Template:Taxobox phylum entry Template:Taxobox classis entry Template:Taxobox ordo entry Template:Taxobox subordo entry Template:Taxobox familia entry Template:Taxobox genus entry Template:Taxobox end placement Template:Taxobox section subdivision see text Template:Taxobox end Horned lizards (Phrynosoma) are a genus of the Phrynosomatidae family of lizards. Horned lizards are often wrongly called "horned toads" or "horny toads", but are not toads at all. They are reptiles, not amphibians. The word Phrynosoma broken down truly means frog (phryno-) body (soma).
Horned lizards are morphologically similar to the Australian thorny devil (Moloch horridus), but are only distantly related. Though due to other unique similarities such as being sit an wait predators, and prey upon ants these two are considered to be a great example of convergent evolution.
Horned lizards carry with them a wide variety of means to avoid predation. Their coloration generally serves as camouflage. The lizard's spines (if they have them) make them a difficult meal for any predator that finds them. The lizards also have the ability to inflate their bodies in an effort to frighten potential predators.
At least four species of horned lizard (P. coronatum, cornutum, orbiculare, and solare) are known to have an unusual antipredator behavior. When attacked, they are capable of squirting blood from their eyes. Although it often does little more than drip off the lizard's face, blood has been observed flying distances of over 1 m (3 ft).
In California, Texas, and other states horned lizards are considered endangered species, though none of them are federally listed.
Species
- Giant Horned Lizard, Phrynosoma asio
- Short-tailed Horned Lizard, Phrynosoma braconnieri
- Texas horned lizard, Phrynosoma cornutum
- Coast Horned Lizard, Phrynosoma coronatum
- Rock Horned Lizard, Phrynosoma ditmarsi
- Short-horned lizard, Phrynosoma douglasii
- Mountain Short-Horned Lizard, Phrynosoma hernandesi
- Flat-tail Horned Lizard, Phrynosoma mcallii
- Roundtail Horned Lizard, Phrynosoma modestum
- Mexican Plateau Horned Lizard, Phrynosoma orbiculare
- Desert horned lizard, Phrynosoma platyrhinos
- Regal Horned Lizard, Phrynosoma solare
- Bull Horned Lizard, Phrynosoma taurus
External links
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