The Regal Horned Lizard
Scientific name: Phrynosoma Solare
Another Sonoran Desert resident. The regal horned lizard gets part of it's scientific name (Solare) from the shape of the spiky crown around it's head. Solare meaning sun, this is the only horned lizard to have a continuous "spiky" crown around it's head. Most types of horned lizards have a gap between the largest of the back spikes around their heads; which consequently, made it easier for me to figure out the exact type of horned lizards this one was.
Horned lizards love to eat ants but will eat any small insect that they can catch. Ants make up about 80% of their diet, and it could be the cause that their blood is distasteful to some predators.
Horned lizards are famous for squirting blood from their eyes in order to avoid becoming lunch. They have special pores under their eyelids which squirt blood on command. I guess it's sort of like when I tear up to avoid a traffic infraction, except well, they use blood and aim right for the predator's eyes and mouth, and I just cry regular tears and go for the heartstrings ;D
Notice that this little guy is covered in Desert Indianwheat seeds. The seeds are pink/purplish with a concave dark maroon middle. It took me a little while to figure out what those pinkish seeds were (I triple checked, they are seeds).
This is the first time I have ever seen an all gray horned lizard, I was truly over the moon about finding this little critter.
It has a beautiful gray and almost translucent armor. I find it's coloration beautiful. He does look like a little dragon!!
Thank you as always for stopping by, I hope you enjoyed this post as much as I did making it. :)
It a perfect camouflage that it has. I think I wouldn't be able to spot it unless really searching for it. The thing with blood is a little scary but as you explained it could be just like tears. I assume it doesn't cause them pain. I can imagine that you were over the moon. I would be too :)
Your photos are very good. It looks like this little beautiful creature would be posing just for you :)
Thank you for sharing and have a lovely day!
I have no idea how I was able to spot this guy, and I don't hope to get this lucky again but I will keep on going out there as much as I possibly can to see what else I can find. It's super hot out right now and the sun makes me sick, it's a struggle but it's worth it. I just go for short trips and have gotten so lucky! Thank you so much for your comment, I truly appreciate your support. Thanks! :)
Great photos of this amazing animal! I don't see a lot of reptiles here in the northeast. Thanks for sharing.
I would imagine reptiles would favor the heat of the southwest a lot more but I surely don’t lol I miss the east coast, specially now that’s around 100 degrees Fahrenheit ugh
They looked like iguanas except iguanas are vegetarians, unlike the lizard. This is such a nice post. You would wonder how these creatures survive the harsh weather in the desert. They symbolize beauty and determination.
Well done. Being featured by curie is really an honor and I know you are proud of it.
Cheers!
I too am amazed at how they can survive such harsh weather. Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by and comment :)
When I was a little boy, living on base at Fort Hood Texas, we had horny toads everywhere. That's what we called them. I would go down by the creek and catch them all day long. I believe they are on the endangered species list now. So sad. 🙏
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Hi Wonderwop, thanks for your comment! I agree with you, it’s sad to hear these creatures are now endangered, specially the ones you were used to seeing. The particular type that I have photographed is not listed as endangered but the Texas horned lizard is. Such a sad thing to happen.
I think it was because of the use of DDT pesticides. I'm glad to hear that yours is not endangered. 🤞
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Me too! So far so good, hopefully it’s stays that way.
I like it's defence mechanism squirting blood from it's eyes. That must be quite off putting for any predators wanting to attack it. Some great photographs showing it's great camouflage blending into the surroundings.
Absolutely, otherwise it's almost defenseless. Most of it's defense mechanisms are pure bluff as it's actually rather harmless. Thank you so much for your comment, I truly apricate it!
I love them, omg they look like they are tiny dragons * ___ * !!! SO COOL !!!!!
I love dragons! Thank you for your comment :)
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Thank you for your vote!
Its a very different kind of lizard I must say, but its scary to me :(
Thank you for your comment. This lizard is actually meaning to look scary because in reality it is rather harmless. It's not a real threat to us at all, it just looks intimidating :) Thanks for stopping by!
Yeah very intimidating :P
This is one of my favorite reptiles, the camouflage, the mini dragon appearance and the blood spilling eyes makes the so awesome and badass, I love how you capture this creature, it feels so natural, thanks for sharing!
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WOW THANK YOU!!! I am absolutely honored that you guys pick my humble post. THANK YOU!
@elfranz I would like to start by saying THANK YOU! I am amazed that someone liked my post and absolutely shocked that it was selected for the @curie Author Showcase.
Growing up in Mexico I had the liberty to experience the outdoors and developed a love of animals and nature. Although I have always loved photography, it wasn’t until recently that I was able to pursue my passion. I consider myself lucky to be able to experience and capture nature with my photographs.
I say I found this little guy by sheer luck and nothing else. I was so excited to see him (assuming it’s a he but I truly have no idea), it made enduring the intense heat well worth it. I love horned lizards, and for that reason I made sure to disturb it as little as possible (I was afraid to cause it to stress or cause it to run and spend precious energy doing so). I am so thankful that I got lucky and he stay put as long as he did. I can’t wait to go back and see what else I can find to share with you all. Thank you much for your love and support!
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THANK YOU!!! I was happily shocked to see you upvoted my post again. I am absolutely humbled and thankful. You guys are awesome, thank you!