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Looking For Lizards

Fish, Wildlife and Parks are seeking the public's help in reporting short-horned lizard sightings in eastern Montana; lizard field trip near Miles City, June 28

Greater short-horned lizard. Horny toad. Mountain short-horned lizard. Phrynosoma hernandesi. Whatever name you call this small knobby reptile by, it is a master of camouflage in its preferred prairie habitat. Many people have never observed one in the wild, and if they have, they may not even know it.

The greater short-horned lizard, Phrynosoma hernandesi, was once considered the second most abundant reptile along the Missouri River in Montana in the late 19th Century, second only to the western rattlesnake. Currently, however, these lizards are considered a "Species of Concern" in Montana due to insufficient data on their population and distribution.

"We have been conducting surveys in eastern Montana to try and determine status and distribution as well as fill in data gaps; however, their elusive nature and cryptic coloration make them extremely difficult to locate," said Nicole Hussey, FWP nongame biologist in Region 6.

That's why citizen observations of these lizards have proved helpful in building FWP's database on them.

"Oftentimes people just accidentally come across one," Hussey said.

If you do see one, FWP asks you to record the location, get GPS coordinates if possible, and note the date, number observed and take a photo with something in the picture for scale.

To report a greater short-horned sighting, go to fwp.Mt.Gov/conservation/wildlife-management/greater-short-horned-lizard.

Observations also can be reported to your local FWP biologist.

Region 4 (Great Falls): Brandi Skone at [email protected]

Region 5 (Billings): Megan O'Reilly at [email protected]

Region 6 (Glasgow): Nicole Hussey at [email protected]

Region 7 (Miles City): Amanda Hall at [email protected], technician Ella Engelhard at [email protected]

To learn more about greater short-horned lizards, including what they look like and where they live.

Bioblitz field trips

A statewide short-horned lizard bioblitz involving FWP and partner agencies is running from June 21-28. Participants in the bioblitz can work independently or with a team.

Short-horned Lizard: The Inflatable 'horny Toad' That Squirts Toxic Blood From Its Eyes

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Credit: Bill Gorum via Alamy Stock Photo

Name: Greater short-horned lizard (Phrynosoma hernandesi)

Where they live: North and Central America

What they eat: Ants, spiders and other small insects

Why they're awesome: Greater short-horned lizards have a squat, flat shape and short snouts, which makes them look more like amphibians than reptiles — hence the nickname "horny toads." But these lizards are most famous for their unusual defense mechanism: When threatened, they squirt a stream of blood from their eyes up to a distance of 5 feet (1.5 meters).

They do this by restricting the blood flow leaving their heads, which increases blood pressure and causes tiny blood vessels to burst around the eyes. They shoot the blood at predators to cause confusion, giving them a chance to escape.

Around eight species of horned lizards are thought to use this grisly trick, known as autohaemorrhaging.

Greater short-horned lizards, which grow to around 6 inches (15 centimeters) long, may release a third of theirits total blood supply this way.

While it doesn't appear to deter birds, the blood does affect canines like dogs (Canis familiaris), coyotes (Canis latrans) and foxes (Vulpes), which shake their heads to get rid of it. The lizards seem to recognize this and are more likely to use it on dogs than on other predators.

The blood is laced with toxic chemicals, which may come from the venomous harvester ants (Pogonomyrmex) that the lizards eat. Although their blood isn't poisonous, it tastes unpleasant to predators. Short-horned lizards aren't affected by the venom of the harvester ants they feed on because a chemical in their blood plasma neutralizes it. They also produce large amounts of mucus to immobilize the insects, enabling the lizards to swallow them without getting hurt by the venom.

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But blood squirting isn't short-horned lizards' only defense. They have mottled skin and flat bodies, making them very well-camouflaged. Their bodies are covered in sharp spines, including two large head spikes. If a predator attempts to bite them, the feisty lizards bow their head, exposing the horns to the predator's mouth.

The lizards can also inflate themselves to twice their normal size when attacked. Not only does this make them look more intimidating, it can cause predators trying to swallow them to choke.

Short-horned Lizard: The Inflatable 'horny Toad' That Squirts Toxic Blood From Its Eyes - Live Science

Name: Greater short-horned lizard (Phrynosoma hernandesi)

Where they live: North and Central America

What they eat: Ants, spiders and other small insects

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Why they're awesome: Greater short-horned lizards have a squat, flat shape and short snouts, which makes them look more like amphibians than reptiles — hence the nickname "horny toads." But these lizards are most famous for their unusual defense mechanism: When threatened, they squirt a stream of blood from their eyes up to a distance of 5 feet (1.5 meters).

They do this by restricting the blood flow leaving their heads, which increases blood pressure and causes tiny blood vessels to burst around the eyes. They shoot the blood at predators to cause confusion, giving them a chance to escape.

Around eight species of horned lizards are thought to use this grisly trick, known as autohaemorrhaging.

Greater short-horned lizards, which grow to around 6 inches (15 centimeters) long, may release a third of theirits total blood supply this way.

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While it doesn't appear to deter birds, the blood does affect canines like dogs (Canis familiaris), coyotes (Canis latrans) and foxes (Vulpes), which shake their heads to get rid of it. The lizards seem to recognize this and are more likely to use it on dogs than on other predators.

The blood is laced with toxic chemicals, which may come from the venomous harvester ants (Pogonomyrmex) that the lizards eat. Although their blood isn't poisonous, it tastes unpleasant to predators. Short-horned lizards aren't affected by the venom of the harvester ants they feed on because a chemical in their blood plasma neutralizes it. They also produce large amounts of mucus to immobilize the insects, enabling the lizards to swallow them without getting hurt by the venom.

But blood squirting isn't short-horned lizards' only defense. They have mottled skin and flat bodies, making them very well-camouflaged. Their bodies are covered in sharp spines, including two large head spikes. If a predator attempts to bite them, the feisty lizards bow their head, exposing the horns to the predator's mouth.

The lizards can also inflate themselves to twice their normal size when attacked. Not only does this make them look more intimidating, it can cause predators trying to swallow them to choke.

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