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Horned lizard facts for kids

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Horny Lizard
Horned lizard 032507 kdh.jpg
Regal Horned Lizard
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Chordata
Subphylum:
Vertebrata
Class:
Reptilia
Order:
Squamata
Suborder:
Lacertilia
Family:
Phrynosomatidae
Genus:
Phrynosoma

Horned lizards are amazing reptiles that live in the dry lands and deserts of North America. They are also known as "horned toads" because of their flat, round bodies, but they are actually lizards! These unique creatures are famous for their spiky appearance.

Female horned lizards dig a hole in the ground to lay their eggs. This helps keep the eggs safe and warm until they hatch.

What Do Horned Lizards Eat?

Horned lizards mostly love to eat ants. They are very good at finding and catching these tiny insects. Sometimes, they will also eat other small crawling insects they find in their habitat.

How Horned Lizards Look and Protect Themselves

Horned lizards have a very special look that helps them stay safe. They have tough, spiky skin that acts like armor. This armor protects them from animals that might try to eat them.

They also have pointed scales and real horns on their heads. These horns are not just for show; they make it harder for predators to swallow them. Some types of horned lizards can even squirt blood from their eyes! This might sound strange, but it's a surprising way they scare off enemies.

Images for kids

  • Phrynosoma orbiculare 1

    Mexican Plateau horned lizard (Phrynosoma orbiculare) showing blood squirted from eye as defensive behavior.

  • Horned lizards

    Comparison of P. modestum and P. platyrhinos.

  • Coast Horned Lizard (9096387129)

    Blainville's horned lizard (P. blainvillii).

  • Phrynosoma braconnieri

    Short-tailed horned lizard (P. braconnieri).

  • Texas horned lizard (Phrynosoma cornutum), Armstrong County, Texas, USA (28 April 2013)

    Texas horned lizard (P. cornutum).

  • HORNED LIZARD, COAST (phrynosoma coronatum) (6-14-08) cerro alto north ridge, slo co, ca -01 (2579107136)

    Coast horned lizard (P. coronatum).

  • 09-035 Horned Lizard (Phyrnosoma coronatum) (3481418737)

    Coast horned lizard (P. coronatum).

  • Greater short-horned lizard on Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge (27558656089)

    Greater short-horned lizard (P. douglassi brevirostre).

  • Phrynosoma douglasii 4226

    Pygmy short-horned lizard (P. douglasii).

  • Mountain short-horned lizard (Phrynosoma hernandesi), Culberson County, Texas, USA (19 May 2018)

    Mountain short-horned lizard (P. hernandesi).

  • Flat-Tailed Horned Lizard (5162160076)

    Flat-tailed horned lizard (P. mcallii).

  • Roundtail Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma modestum), Municipality of Tula, Tamaulipas, Mexico (15 August 2004)

    Round-tail horned lizard (P. modestum).

  • Mountain horned lizard (Phrynosoma orbiculare orientale), Municipality of Miquihuana, Tamaulipas, Mexico (24 September 2009)

    Mountain horned lizard (P. orbiculare orientale).

  • Desert Horned Lizard in Mojave Desert

    Desert horned lizard (P. platyrhinos).

  • Horned lizard 032507 kdh

    Regal horned lizard (P. solare).

  • Superfrog

    The TCU mascot is commonly known as Super frog to TCU fans and students.

  • HornedToad

    Horned lizard on a necktie at El Paso, Texas, in 1940.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Lagartos cornudos para niños

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Horned lizard Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.