Texas Horned Lizard
Phrynosoma cornutum
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Cordats)
- ClassSquamata
- FamilyPhrynosomatidae (Frinosomàtids)
- GenusPhrynosoma (Horned Lizards)
- SpeciesPhrynosoma cornutum (Texas Horned Lizard)
The Texas horned lizard (Phrynosoma cornutum) is one of about 21 North American species of spikey-bodied reptiles called horned lizards, all belonging the genus Phrynosoma. It occurs in south-central regions of the US and northeastern Mexico, as well as several isolated introduced records and populations from Southern United States. Though some populations are stable, severe population declines have occurred in many areas of Texas and Oklahoma. The Texas spiny lizard (Sceloporus olivaceus) may be confused for a Texas horned lizard due to its appearance and overlapping habitat. Texas horned lizard populations show strong genetic structuring across their range, with limited gene flow between regions. Because the Texas horned lizard is listed as a threatened species in the state, it is illegal to pick up, touch, or possess them in Texas. Wikipedia →
5–10% of wildlife watchers report a Texas Horned Lizard sighting in Big Bend National Park, based on 5 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.
Closest Relatives at Big Bend National Park
Roundtail Horned Lizard
Phrynosoma modestum
Greater Earless Lizard
Cophosaurus texanus
Canyon Lizard
Sceloporus merriami
Common Side-blotched Lizard
Uta stansburiana
Crevice Spiny Lizard
Sceloporus poinsettii
Southwestern Fence Lizard
Sceloporus cowlesi
Ornate Tree Lizard
Urosaurus ornatus
Twin-spotted Spiny Lizard
Sceloporus bimaculosus
Texas Spiny Lizard
Sceloporus olivaceus
📅 Monthly Probability
☀️🌙 When They're Spotted
Active throughout day and night · across all parks (global)
Global Distribution
Where this species is recorded worldwide. Restricted to human observations from 2019 onwards — the same kind of record and the same period the probabilities on this page are built from, so collar-tracking studies, camera-trap arrays and museum specimens are excluded. Around Santa Rosa that removes 5,924 GPS fixes from a handful of tagged jaguars.
where this species is recorded (GBIF density — it tracks where observers go, not how likely a sighting is) · parks where it occurs — tap a pin for the sighting probability there
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Guadalupe Mountains National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 2 | Big Bend National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 3 | Cumbres de Monterrey National Park | 🇲🇽 Mexico |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Texas Horned Lizard in Big Bend National Park?
About 6% of wildlife watchers report a Texas Horned Lizard sighting in Big Bend National Park, based on 5 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Texas Horned Lizard in Big Bend National Park?
June has the highest sighting rate for Texas Horned Lizard in Big Bend National Park in our monthly data.