Behavioral observations have shown that horned lizards may eat as many as 70 harvester ants a day. Though capable of running quickly for short distances, they rely more on camouflage than speed for protection. Their first line of defense is their mottled brown body coloration that helps hide them against bare soil and dead leaves. Populations in areas of sandy soil may have a yellowish tint while populations in other areas may have a reddish or dark brown tint. The body shape is also an adaptation to avoid the attention of would-be predators.
A motionless horned lizard is difficult to see against bare soil. Texas horned lizards and some other species of horned lizards have a fascinating behavior used to detract predators. When grasped, they close their eyes and the eyelids appear to inflate. They then squirt a directed stream of blood from the sinuses in their eye cavity toward the would-be predator. Experiments have shown that the blood is distasteful and repels some predators, canids coyotes in particular.
Chemicals in the blood that produce the bitter taste may be derived from the ants they eat. Little information is available on their normal lifespan, but horned lizards can live at least five years. Adult females reach about 5 inches in snout-vent length, but males are smaller, reaching only about 3. Recently hatched juveniles are about three-quarters of an inch in snout-vent length.
Conservation Status:. Several possible reasons have been proposed for the decline, but little evidence exists to determine the true causes. With less suitable habitat, fewer lizards can be supported. Also, as the amount of habitat declines, the remaining patches of good habitat become more isolated from each other. Because of their small size and limited ability to travel long distances, horned lizards have difficulty moving between widely spaced habitat patches.
Populations in isolated habitats are more susceptible to local extinction from catastrophic events, and once an isolated population is gone, it is difficult for other horned lizards to resettle the area. As soon as their body temperature rises to a specific degree, they commence foraging for food. As the heat of the day increases, they become more active Seymour and Royo The Regal Horned lizard is diurnal. The lizard eats spiders, sowbugs, and other insects, especially ants.
Horned lizards do not take their food methodically, but instead take it in a toad-like fashion, with a flick of their long, sticky, tongue. After feeding, when ground temperatures become too hot, they seek the shade of a shrub, partially concealing themselves.
The Regal Horned lizard populations are not protected. Four individuals may be collected in Arizona with a hunting license. However, habitat destruction and ant extermination are depriving the horned lizard not only of their homes, but of their only source of a dependable diet. Vegetation is typically sparse, though spectacular blooms may occur following rain.
Deserts can be cold or warm and daily temperates typically fluctuate. In dune areas vegetation is also sparse and conditions are dry. This is because sand does not hold water well so little is available to plants. In dunes near seas and oceans this is compounded by the influence of salt in the air and soil. Salt limits the ability of plants to take up water through their roots. Cogger, H. San Diego: Academic Press. Short-horned Lizards give birth to babies. The newborn are very small - measuring about 25 mm 1 inch long.
Did you know? Short-horned Lizard adults weigh less than a quarter. A yearling is about the weight of a dime. They give birth to the young live. Predators include snakes, magpie, ravens, and hawks. Horny toads like to eat ants and beetles.
Short-horned Lizards will shoot blood from their eyes when threatened by a predator. Short-horned Lizard, female with her young. Short-horned Lizard - Animal Diversity Web. Is it a lizard or a toad? This photo was submitted to Your Shot, our photo community on Instagram. Follow us on Instagram at natgeoyourshot or visit us at natgeo.
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