horned lizard
Crowned desert crawler
A horned lizard is a small, flat-bodied reptile native to North American deserts and scrublands, distinguished by the crown of pointed scales on its head and spiny projections along its body.
Several species exist, all in the genus Phrynosoma.
Despite their fierce appearance, they are docile and feed primarily on ants.
Some species can squirt blood from their eyes as a defense mechanism.
They are sometimes incorrectly called horned toads or horny toads, though they are not amphibians.
Plates or weighing devices
- ectothermOrganism heated externally
- cold-bloodedUnfeeling or externally heated
- squamataScaled reptile order
- herpetologyStudy of reptiles, amphibians
saurian · oviparous · diurnal · terrarium · basking · shedding · clutch · hatchling
Devoid of water
- sandFine rock particles
- cactiSpiny water-storing plants
- scorchingExtremely hot, burning
- sunbakedDried by solar heat
Sonoran · Mojave · mesa · butte · scrubland · drought · dry wash · sparse vegetation
Sovereign's ornamental headpiece
Combine into mixture
- concealmentAct of hiding something
- disguiseIdentity-concealing alteration
- patternRecurring arrangement or template
- protective colorationConcealing pigmentation for survival
mottled · dappled · hide · invisible · disappear · flatten · stillness · ambush
Inflating or expanding
- antipredatorCountering hunters' threats
- startle displayAntipredator surprise tactic
- unpalatabilityQuality of tasting bad
- evasiveAvoiding direct response
reflex · survival · escape · playing dead
scales
Plates or weighing devices
- ectothermOrganism heated externally
- cold-bloodedUnfeeling or externally heated
- squamataScaled reptile order
herpetology · saurian · oviparous · diurnal · terrarium · basking · shedding · clutch · hatchling · insectivore
arid
Devoid of water
sunbaked · Sonoran · Mojave · mesa · butte · scrubland · drought · dry wash · sparse vegetation · sandy soil
crown
Sovereign's ornamental headpiece
blend
Combine into mixture
- concealmentAct of hiding something
- disguiseIdentity-concealing alteration
- patternRecurring arrangement or template
protective coloration · mottled · dappled · hide · invisible · disappear · flatten · stillness · ambush · stealth
puffing up
Inflating or expanding
- antipredatorCountering hunters' threats
- startle displayAntipredator surprise tactic
- unpalatabilityQuality of tasting bad
evasive · reflex · survival · escape · playing dead
- spiny lizardshorny toad
- reptilessnake, turtle, crocodile, alligator, python
- North American Naturebald eagle, American bison, bison, grizzly bear, raccoon
- desert lifecamel, cactus, scorpion, rattlesnake, sidewinder
- lizardslizards, gecko, geckos, chameleon, chameleons
- Mexican Wildlifejaguar, ocelot, axolotl, vaquita, Mexican wolf
horned lizardsnake
Limbless scaled reptile
glass lizard · legless lizard · skink · slowworm · blindsnake
horned lizardsea turtle
Ocean-dwelling shelled reptile
marine iguana · crocodile · anaconda · sea snake · axolotl