Blainville's Horned Lizard

Appearance

The two center head horns are the longest. Males have enlarged postanal scales and a swollen tail base during the breeding season. Each side of the body has two rows of pointed fringe scales. Each side of the throat has two or three rows of enlarged pointed scales.

Naming

Commonly called: "Horny Toad," "Horned Toad," "Horned Frog."

Phrynosoma coronatum - Coast Horned Lizard (Stebbins 1954, 1966, 1985, 2003)
Phrynosoma coronatum blainvillii - San Diego Horned Lizard (Smith 1946)
Phrynosoma coronatum frontale - Californian Horned Lizard (Smith 1946)

Habitat

Inhabits open areas of sandy soil and low vegetation in valleys, foothills and semiarid mountains. Found in grasslands, coniferous forests, woodlands, and chaparral, with open areas and patches of loose soil. Often found in lowlands along sandy washes with scattered shrubs and along dirt roads, and frequently found near ant hills.