Pygmy Short-Horned Lizard

Photo by Walter Siegmund on Wikimedia

​Phrynosoma douglasii

I finally found the answer to why Horned Lizards are often called “horny toads” as they are clearly not amphibians, but reptiles. Turns out the genus name means “toad-bodied,” which I can see.

I ran across one of these cuties while on a walk in Colorado Springs. Our little friend was in the middle of the street, so I gently escorted them across so he/she wouldn’t be in danger. This one was super tiny. Pygmy Short-Horned Lizards only get up to about three inches long. Sadly, I didn’t get a photo because I was busy trying to keep my curious nephews from messing with the Lizard.

Despite being tiny, Horned Lizards are well equipped to fight of potential predators. First of all, they are spiky, as their name suggests. They can inflate their bodies to twice their size, which I know would freak me out if my food did that. Most exciting/disturbing of all is they can shoot blood out of their eyes up to nine times their body length! The blood is full of toxins collected from their food, and their aim is impeccable. They are the Annie Oakleys of blood-shooting animals.

Unfortunately, these incredible animals are in decline. Their diets consist mostly of ants, subsidized by other insects and arthropods. The increased use of pesticides has greatly depleted the Horned Lizard’s food supply.
You can help the Horned Lizard as well as numerous other species by reducing/eliminating your use of pesticides. Consider natural repellents as opposed to super-harmful chemicals. These are better for your health, too and will keep these crazy, blood-shooting Lizards around!

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