| northern desert horned lizard | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Subphylum: | Vertebrata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Lacertilia |
| Family: | Phrynosomatidae |
| Genus: | Phrynosoma |
| Species: | P. platyrhinos |
| Subspecies: | P. p. platyrhinos |
| Trinomial name | |
| Phrynosoma platyrhinos platyrhinos Girard, 1852 |
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The northern desert horned lizard (Phrynosoma platyrhinos platyrhinos) is a subspecies of the desert horned lizard. It is often referred to as a "horny toad" due to its wide body and blunt snout, but it is not a toad.
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It ranges in size between 2.5 to 3.75 inches (6.3 to 9.5 cm) from snout to vent, and can get to 5.5 inches (14 cm) long including the tail. Like all horned lizards, it features horns on the back of its head and sharp scales on its back. Its color typically varies depending on the local environment, ranging from shades of red, brown, gray, and tan to match the color of the soil and/or rocks in which it resides. Adult males average smaller than females.
Its diet mostly consists of ants, but it will eat other insects as well. Its typical hunting method involves digging itself into the sand, leaving only its head exposed, and waiting for prey to pass by.
P. p. platyrhinos is native to the Great Basin Desert area of North America. It occurs primarily in Nevada, where its range covers most of the state, but its territory also extends into parts of Idaho, Utah, and Oregon.