Texas Horned Lizard
Phrynosoma cornutum
Silhouette: Jose Carlos Arenas-Monroy · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassSquamata
- FamilyPhrynosomatidae (Phrynosomatid Lizards)
- GenusPhrynosoma (Horned Lizards)
- SpeciesPhrynosoma cornutum (Texas Horned Lizard)
About the Texas Horned Lizard
The Texas horned lizard (Phrynosoma cornutum) is one of about 21 North American species of spikey-bodied reptiles called horned lizards, all belonging the genus Phrynosoma. It occurs in south-central regions of the US and northeastern Mexico, as well as several isolated introduced records and populations from Southern United States. Though some populations are stable, severe population declines have occurred in many areas of Texas and Oklahoma. The Texas spiny lizard (Sceloporus olivaceus) may be confused for a Texas horned lizard due to its appearance and overlapping habitat. Texas horned lizard populations show strong genetic structuring across their range, with limited gene flow between regions. Because the Texas horned lizard is listed as a threatened species in the state, it is illegal to pick up, touch, or possess them in Texas.
The horned lizard is popularly called a "horned toad", "horny toad", or "horned frog", but it is neither a toad nor a frog. The popular names come from the lizard's rounded body and blunt snout, which give it a decidedly batrachian appearance. Phrynosoma literally means "toad-bodied" and cornutum means "horned". The lizard's horns are... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Texas Horned Lizard in Big Bend National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Big Bend National Park
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Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Guadalupe Mountains National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 2 | Big Bend National Park | 🇺🇸 United States |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Texas Horned Lizard in Big Bend National Park?
About 10% of wildlife watchers report a Texas Horned Lizard sighting in Big Bend National Park, based on 5 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Texas Horned Lizard in Big Bend National Park?
June has the highest sighting rate for Texas Horned Lizard in Big Bend National Park in our monthly data.