- SCIENTIFIC NAME
- Phrynosoma douglasii
- CLASSIFICATION
- Reptile
- LIFE SPAN
- 5-8 Years
- STATE CONSERVATION STATUS
-
- Priority Species
- Unprotected
- FEDERAL CONSERVATION STATUS
- Least Concern
- GAME STATUS
- Non-Game
- Washoe
- Humboldt
- Pershing
- Churchill
- Mineral
- Lyon
- Douglas
- Carson City
- Storey
- Elko
- Lander
- Eureka
- White Pine
- Esmeralda
- Nye
- Lincoln
- Clark
Habitat & Range
The Pygmy Short-Horned Lizard only lives in the extreme northern portions of the state. This species can be found in a variety of habitats such as sandy fats, alluvial fans, along washes, at the edges of dunes, and sometimes found among rocks.
- Desert Washes
- Grasslands
- Pinyon juniper forests
Threats
- Invasive Species
Natural History
The Pygmy Short-horned Lizard is generally an ant specialist, and the bulk of their diet is made up of large-bodied harvester ants. When ants aren’t available, they may eat other insects, spiders, and vegetation.
These lizards give birth to up to 15 live young. Other horned lizard species that live in warmer climates lay eggs. The Pygmy Short-horned Lizard lives in high elevations and must hibernate through the winter.
This small, squatty lizard’s best defense against predators is their camouflage. They do have many potential predators, however, including birds, snakes, coyotes, and other predatory mammals.
Fun Facts
OTHER Species
