A Guide to the Amphibians
and Reptiles of California

California Horned Lizards - Phrynosoma

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Also known as Horny Toads. Small, wide, flattened, lizards, with spiked scales on a rounded body, and horns surrounding a large head. Slow-moving, tending to run short distances, then hiding by blending in to the surroundings. Active in daytime. Typically found in open sandy areas in deserts, chaparral, grassland, often near ant hills. Often seen basking on asphalt roads or low rocks in the morning or afternoon.

Blainville's (Coast) Horned Lizard Phrynosoma (Anota) coronatum


Flat-tailed Horned Lizard Phrynosoma (Anota) mcallii Found in areas with fine wind-blown sand in the Colorado desert in the southeast corner of the state. The dark line down the middle of the back will distinguish it from the Desert horned lizard. Very fast runner. Can be mistaken for other fast lizards such as Fringe-toed lizards.
Distribution of Flat-tailed Horned Lizards in California
Desert Horned Lizard Phrynosoma (Doliosaurus) platyrhinos Two subspecies occur in California.

Southern Desert Horned LizardPhrynosoma (Doliosaurus) platyrhinos calidiarum	Northern Desert Horned Lizard Phrynosoma (Doliosaurus) platyrhinos platyhrinos

Pygmy Short-horned Lizard - Phrynosoma (Tapaja) douglssii Found only in the far northeast corner of California, typically in forest clearings and sagrebrush deserts.

Distribution of Pigmy Horned Lizards in California