Mexican Plateau horned lizard facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mexican Plateau horned lizard |
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| P. orbiculare in Veracruz, Mexico, showing blood squirted from eye as defensive behavior. | |
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| Genus: |
Phrynosoma
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| Species: |
orbiculare
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The Mexican Plateau horned lizard (Phrynosoma orbiculare) is a special type of horned lizard. It belongs to the family called Phrynosomatidae. People also call it the Chihuahua Desert horned lizard. This lizard lives only in Mexico. There are five different kinds, or subspecies, of this lizard. Its scientific name, orbiculare, comes from a Latin word meaning "circular," which might describe its body shape.
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About the Mexican Plateau Horned Lizard
What Does This Lizard Look Like?
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The Mexican Plateau horned lizard has a unique look. It has a single row of special scales along its sides. These scales look like a fringe. This lizard also has two short "horns" on the back of its head. These are not true horns like on a cow, but rather bony growths.
Where Do These Lizards Live?
P. orbiculare is found only in the high plateau areas of central Mexico. You can find it in several Mexican states. These include Chihuahua, Durango, Morelos, Nuevo León, Puebla, and Veracruz.
What Kind of Places Do They Call Home?
The Mexican Plateau horned lizard lives in many different places. It can be found in natural areas like dry scrubland and forests. These forests might have pine, oak, or juniper trees. It also lives in places changed by people. This includes farm fields and areas with agave and Opuntia cactus plants.
Different Kinds of Mexican Plateau Horned Lizards
There are five recognized subspecies of P. orbiculare. A subspecies is a group of animals within a species that has small differences. These differences might be in their looks or where they live. The original type is called the nominotypical subspecies.
- Phrynosoma orbiculare bradti
- Phrynosoma orbiculare cortezii
- Phrynosoma orbiculare dugesii
- Phrynosoma orbiculare orbiculare
- Phrynosoma orbiculare orientale
Reproduction and Life Cycle
The Mexican Plateau horned lizard is viviparous. This means that the mother gives birth to live young. The babies hatch inside the mother's body. They are born alive, rather than hatching from eggs laid outside the body.
Why Are They Named That?
Some of the subspecies names honor important people.
- The subspecies name, cortezii, honors Hernán Cortés. He was a Spanish conquistador.
- The subspecies name, dugesii, honors Alfredo Dugès. He was a French-born Mexican naturalist. Many people call him the "father" of Mexican herpetology. Herpetology is the study of reptiles and amphibians.
