DESERT HORNED LIZARD
- Native to desert areas of North America, is also known as Horned Toad or Horny Toad.
- Has a distinctive spiny body and horns on its head.
- Able to change color to their environment, are generally a beige color with dark patches.
- Size ranges from 3 to 5” with a 1” tail; males are smaller than females.
- 7-8 year life expectancy
Diet
The horned lizard’s main diet is ants, but may also eat other slow-moving insects such as beetles, spiders, crickets and moths. In nature, they can often be found near anthills, covered in sand with only their heads exposed, preying on passing ants.
Housing
Desert Horned Lizards require a fairly large, longer terrarium with a sandy reptile substrate. Add some rocks, hiding places and plants. These lizards enjoy hot 105-110ºF basking areas, cooler room temp nights and low 30-50% humidity.
Provide UVB lighting 12+ hours per day and incandescent spot lights for local hot spots.
Handling and Care
A generally gentle lizard, if threatened they may hiss, try to bite or thrust their spines into the hand while held. The can also puff up their bodies, making themselves look larger and fiercer. If provoked, they can spray blood from their eyes as far as 5’.
Clean out feces and uneaten food daily. Clean the entire habitat weekly.
Wash your hands with anti-bacterial soap after handling any animal.
Health
Take your lizard to an exotics veterinarian if you notice: weight loss or decreased appetite; mucus in the nose or mouth; labored breathing; lethargy; skin lesions; abnormal feces; paralysis of tail or legs.
