The short-horned lizard is often referred to as a “horned toad” or “horny toad”
because its squat, flattened shape and short, blunt snout give it a toad-ish look.
There are over a dozen recognized species found in the deserts and semi-arid
environments of North and Central America, from southern Canada to Guatemala.
Species are distinguishable by the formidable crown of horns adorning their head
and the numerous spines across their back. Their coloring can be yellowish, gray,
or reddish-brown depending on the environment they inhabit, and, combined with
their shape, affords them considerable camouflage on the surface. They feed
primarily on ants, waiting for one to unsuspectingly crawl by before snapping it
in and swallowing it whole. They are also known to eat grasshoppers, beetles, and
spiders.
Despite their spiky features, short-horned lizards are preyed upon by a number of
creatures, including hawks, roadrunners, snakes, lizards, dogs, wolves, and
coyotes. Consequently, beyond their natural camouflage, they have adapted a pair
of remarkable talents. In order to ward off hungry predators, short-horned lizards
are capable of inflating their bodies up to twice their size, resembling a spiny
balloon. And if this proves insufficient, some species employ one of the animal
kingdom’s most bizarre defensive mechanisms: They shoot blood from their eyes.
The ominous squirting blood emanates from ducts in the corners of their eyes and
can travel a distance of up to three feet (one meter). It’s meant to confuse
would-be predators, but also contains a chemical that is noxious to dogs, wolves,
and coyotes.
Over recent decades short-horn lizard populations have been in decline throughout
their range. Destruction of their native habitat, efforts to eradicate ants—their
staple food—and the pet trade have all contributed to this.
