California
Phrynosoma mcallii  Tyler Grant, Bureau of Land Management | |
| Type of Animal: | Reptiles |
|---|---|
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Iguanidae |
| Federal Status: | BLM Sensitive |
| State Status: | |
| Occurrence: | |
| Habitat: | Dunes,Creosote Scrub |
| Description: | Flat-tailed honed lizards require habitats that offer fine sand with little vegetation. They burrow into the sand to avoid temperature extremes and stay for hours buried just beneath the surface. They prefer areas with creosote bush, but they are found in other desert habitats. These lizards are active year-round, as long as weather conditions are not extreme. They are most active in spring, summer, and fall. They are less active during the hottest part of the summer. Flat-tailed horned lizards are most frequently found near ant nests, as ants are their primary food. They are patient hunters, waiting for long periods of time for the ants to emerge. They will also eat arthropods when available. The breeding season occurs in the spring in April and May. Females may lay up to two clutches per year. Clutch size ranges from seven to ten eggs. The eggs are laid in May and June. The first clutch of hatchlings appear in July, and the second clutch appears in August. Common predators include falcons and large mammals such as foxes and coyotes. |
| Effort: | "This species is threatened by loss of habitat, and has therefore been designated a Bureau of land Management (BLM) sensitive species. Although this status does not award them full protection under the law, it is BLM policy to not allow actions that may contribute to the future listing as a federal threatened or federal endangered species. Their range has been reduced as a result of development and human recreational activities." |
| References: | Behler et al. 1979. National Audubon Society Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians. Stebbins 1985. Peterson Field Guide to Western Reptiles and Amphibians, Second Edition. Zeiner et al. (editors). 1988. California’s Wildlife, Volume I, Amphibians and Reptiles. |
| Other Sites: | California Department of Fish and Game species account (PDF file) |
| Field Office(s): | Palm Springs |