horned toad
Misnamed desert reptile
A horned toad is a small, flat-bodied lizard native to North American deserts, named for the horn-like spines on its head.
Despite the name, it's a reptile, not an amphibian.
Some species can squirt blood from their eyes as a defense mechanism.
Also called horned lizard.
Four-legged scaled reptile
- scalesPlates or weighing devices
- ectothermicTemperature set by surroundings
- cold-bloodedUnfeeling or externally heated
- herpetologyStudy of reptiles, amphibians
squamate · terrarium · oviparous · basking · clutch · hatchling · saurian · insectivore
Devoid of water
- dunesWind-formed sand ridges
- cactiSpiny water-storing plants
- scorchingExtremely hot, burning
- sunbakedDried by solar heat
barren · sandstorm · mesa · tumbleweed · saguaro · chaparral · xerophyte · creosote
Sharp metal protrusions
- crownSovereign's ornamental headpiece
- pointedTapering to a tip
- pricklySpiny or irritable
- barbedHaving sharp projections
thorny · bristly · armored · dorsal spines · fringed · textured · rough · scaly
Obscure in meaning
- concealmentAct of hiding something
- blendCombine into mixture
- disguiseIdentity-concealing alteration
- colorationSurface hue arrangement
mottled · pattern · ambush · hide · natural selection · predation · stealth · survival
Inflating or expanding
- startle responseInvoluntary reaction to surprise
- antipredatorCountering hunters' threats
- playing deadFaking death as defense
- chemical defenseToxic means of protection
survival strategy · stress response · alarm signal · evasive action
lizard
Four-legged scaled reptile
- scalesPlates or weighing devices
- ectothermicTemperature set by surroundings
- cold-bloodedUnfeeling or externally heated
herpetology · squamate · terrarium · oviparous · basking · clutch · hatchling · saurian · insectivore · ant-eater
arid
Devoid of water
sunbaked · barren · sandstorm · mesa · tumbleweed · saguaro · chaparral · xerophyte · creosote · yucca
spikes
Sharp metal protrusions
barbed · thorny · bristly · armored · dorsal spines · fringed · textured · rough · scaly
cryptic
Obscure in meaning
- concealmentAct of hiding something
- blendCombine into mixture
- disguiseIdentity-concealing alteration
coloration · mottled · pattern · ambush · hide · natural selection · predation · stealth · survival · earth tones
puffing up
Inflating or expanding
- startle responseInvoluntary reaction to surprise
- antipredatorCountering hunters' threats
- playing deadFaking death as defense
chemical defense · survival strategy · stress response · alarm signal · evasive action
mascot
Group's symbolic figure
- TCUFort Worth private university
- good luckFavorable chance or fortune
- pet tradeBuying and selling animals
Eastland · legend · Americana · roadside · Southwest · curio · talisman · protected species
- North American Naturebald eagle, American bison, bison, grizzly bear, raccoon
- desert lifecamel, cactus, scorpion, rattlesnake, sidewinder
- desert thingssand, cactus, cacti, camel, dune
- lizardslizard, lizards, gecko, geckos, chameleon
- misnomerskoala bear, starfish, jellyfish, tin foil, lead pencil
- Plains wildlifebison, coyote, prairie dog, pronghorn, rattlesnake