Douglass's Horned Lizard

Phrynosoma douglassii, (Bell)

Distribution: The northern and Pacific district including the slopes of the Sierra Nevada Range.
Distribution: Desert regions and dry plateaus east of the Sierra Nevada Range, from Canada to Mexico.
Distribution: The Great Plains and Rocky Mountain district generally--an abundant form.

Of the first group comprising the greater portion of this genus--the members possessing an exposed ear drum--Douglass's Horned Lizard exhibits the most rudimentary horns. Three phases of this species may be recognised. With the typical form and one of the varieties, the horns are reduced to mere tubercles. The third phase has very short horns--shorter than the horizontal diameter of the eye. The limbs are proportionately shorter than of the other horned lizards.

As the accompanying illustrations very clearly delineate the various characters of the three phases, elaborate details would be superfluous.

These points distinguish the three varieties; all of which have smooth abdominal scales, and small, equal-sized scales upon the chin:

Size small, limbs short. Horns reduced to tubercles.

Snout very blunt.

DOUGLASS'S HORNED LIZARD, P. douglassii, typical, Bell.

Length of adult.--4 3/4 inches.

Size moderate. Horns more developed, although of tubercular form. Pattern vivid. Snout more pointed.

ORNATE HORNED LIZARD, P. douglassii, variety ornatissimum, Girard.

Length of adult.--5 1/8 inches.

Size moderate. Horns more developed and nearly as long as the horizontal diameter of the eye.

HERNANDEZ'S HORNED LIZARD, P. douglassii, variety hernandesi, Girard.

Length of adult.--5 1/4 inches.

This species is interesting in demonstrating, in all its phases, the remarkable similarity of the colour of individuals to the soil on which they live. It is illustrated to an extraordinary degree with specimens found in areas where the soil is of an unusual shade. Several specimens of the desert form ornatissimum collected for the writer were examined with surprise; they were distinctly pink, with white spots. A letter received from the collector contained the following explanation: "The horned toads sent you were taken in a region where the soil was pinkish, scattered with fine white pebbles. They were very difficult to see, unless moving. Dr. Stejneger described specimens of the typical form from the San Francisco Mountains, that exactly match in their ground colour the soil and rocks, while their paler markings are perfect imitations of the lichens covering the rocks. He further explains that even more remarkable are the specimens collected by Dr. Merriam in a black lava belt. These specimens were satiny black, with rich, yellow markings--even the gloss of the lava was imitated. A female specimen of this phase and her young are figured in an accompanying photograph.

Through the courtesy of D. D. Streeter, Jr., the writer has received a number of living female specimens of the variety hernandesi, from Wyoming. This afforded an admirable opportunity of studying the young horned lizards, which are produced alive and a few minutes after birth are able to scurry over the ground with an agility equal to that of the parent. The average brood of young among these specimens numbered ten. The young creatures appeared quite smooth. Their skin was soft and delicate. All of these young reptiles were born during the early part of September.