Knowra Horned lizard Horned lizard A North American lizard in the genus Phrynosoma, recognized by its flattened body, spiny scales, and hornlike head projections. Many species specialize in eating ants.
Blood-squirting defense : A defensive behavior in which an animal expels blood from its body toward a threat. Some horned lizards eject blood from vessels around the eyes, especially against canine predators.
Phrynosoma : A genus of North American lizards commonly called horned lizards or horny toads. This is the genus containing every horned lizard.
Horned lizard conservation : Efforts to protect horned lizard populations, habitats, and ecological conditions. Habitat loss, declining ant prey, and collection pressure threaten some populations.
Texas horned lizard : A large horned lizard, Phrynosoma cornutum, found in the south-central United States and northern Mexico. This familiar species exemplifies the genus’s broad, flattened shape and prominent head horns.
Ant declines : A reduction in ant abundance or diversity within an ecosystem. The consequences of changing ant communities for ant-eating horned lizards remain a conservation concern.
Thanatosis : A defensive behavior in which an animal becomes still and appears dead. When threatened, some horned lizards remain motionless rather than flee.
Horned lizard anatomy : The body structures of horned lizards, including their flattened trunk, enlarged scales, and head spines. These structures give the group its distinctive outline and physical defenses.
Habitat fragmentation : The division of continuous habitat into smaller, isolated patches. Fragmented landscapes can isolate horned lizard populations and disrupt movement.
Short-horned lizard : A group of small horned lizards in the genus Phrynosoma, including species found in western North America. Its short, stout horns contrast with the longer projections of many relatives.
Climate change and reptiles : The effects of long-term climate shifts on reptile physiology, distribution, and survival. Warming and altered rainfall may reshape the habitats available to different species.
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