Description: A small (total length: 5 - 10 cm [2 - 4 in.]) flattened lizard with spikes on the back of the head, sharp-pointed scales on the dorsum, and a fringe of pointed scales on the sides of the body. The dorsal coloration generally is a pattern and color that resembles the background, and can range from cream to tan with black, orange, and yellow chevron-like markings. The ventral coloration is cream. This is the only species of horned lizard in Clark County, Nevada.
Diet: Primarily eats ants, especially harvester ants; will also eat insects,
spiders, and fruits.
Habitat: Most low-desert habitats, especially Mojave desert scrub. Typically found among woody shrubs, cacti, and yucca on sandy flats, alluvial fans, washes, and dunes below an elevation of 2,000 m (6,500 ft). Also found in mesquite/catclaw, salt desert scrub, blackbrush, sagebrush, and pinyon-juniper habitats.
Range: The species occurs from eastern Oregon and southern Idaho southward throughout the deserts into northwestern Mexico. This subspecies occurs from southern Nevada southward.
Comments: Often called “horny toads,” these lizards are favored as pets. However, they often do not survive in captivity because of difficulties in adequately providing their specialized diet of ants.