Subphylum Vertebrata Suborder Lacertilia Scientific name Phrynosoma orbiculare Rank Species | Phylum Chordata Family Phrynosomatidae | |
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Similar Horned lizard, Reptile, Short‑tailed horned lizard, Giant horned lizard, Roundtail horned lizard | ||
The Mexican Plateau horned lizard (Phrynosoma orbiculare) is a species of horned lizard. It is also known as the Chihuahua Desert horned lizard. The specific epithet, orbiculare, comes from the Latin adjective orbis, meaning "circular".
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Description
Phrynosoma orbiculare has a characteristic single row of lateral abdominal fringe scales. This "horned toad" also has two short occipital horns.
Geographic range
This species is found only in the high plateau country of central Mexico. Specifically, it is found in the states of Chihuahua, Durango, and Nuevo León. Its range continues southeast through Morelos, Puebla and Veracruz.
Habitat
It occurs in a wide range of primary (dry scrubland, pine-oak forest, oak forest, juniper forest) and secondary habitats (agricultural land, and agave and Opuntia fields).