Greater Short-horned Lizard
Mountain Short-horned Lizard
Phrynosoma hernandesi
Along the Arizona Trail near Washington Park, Gila Co., Arizona, USA, 17 July 2016.
Across the high country of Arizona from sycamore canyons, through piñon-juniper, grasslands and ponderosa woodlands a great variety geological substrates exists, each its own texture and color. Horned lizards are generally slow moving, and indeed spend a bulk of their foraging time nearly motionless as they sit along side an ant trail taking their usual prey. Thus to avoid being predated themselves excellent camouflage is necessary. Each population of Greater Short-horned Lizards displays a pattern and color to match the color of rocks and soil where they live. Nearly black, to red, to almost white to every shade between are to be found.