Regal Horned Lizard

Regal Horned Lizard

Dipsosaurus dorsalis

IUCN red list status:
Least Concern

For more informations, please visit iucnredlist.org

Regal Horned Lizard

About the Regal Horned Lizard

The regal horned lizard is a flat reptile that is named after the crown-like horns on the back of its head. It is a small-sized reptile whose length range 7.6-10.2 cm. This species has a distinct appearance that helps it to camouflage excellently from predators. One of the distinguishable characteristics of this special reptile is that its body has keeled scales all over it. Another special trait of this reptile is that it can change its colour from dark to light as per the environment around it.

Horned lizards inhabit the deserts of northern America, and the Regal Horned Lizard is no different. It can be spotted in hot and dry environments with sand and these reptiles are even known to bathe in the sun. After sunbathing, it forages for food. Its diet mainly comprises of sowbugs, spiders, and ants - they prey upon harvester ants the most.

Did you know?

When these lizards are threatened, they will play dead to avoid being eaten. If that doesn’t work, they can squirt blood from their eyes as a defence, which can reach up to 1.2 metres!