Photograph by Gary M. Stolz/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Plains Horned Toad (Texas Horned Lizard)
Phrynosoma cornutum
May 18, 1804; Lewis sent a specimen to Jefferson from St. Louis, Missouri.
Flat-bodied lizard with large crown of spines on head; two center spines longest. Two rows of pointed scales fringe each side. Red to yellow to gray; dark spots have light rear margins. Dark lines radiate from eye. Length: 2.5-7.1 in (6.3-18.1 cm).
From sea level to 6,000 ft (1,800 m) in dry areas, mostly open country with loose soil supporting grass, mesquite, cactus.
Kansas to Texas and west to southeastern Arizona. Isolated population in Louisiana; introduced in northern Florida.
This lizard is the common "horned toad" of the pet trade.
