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Texas Horned Lizard

Phrynosoma cornutum

Reptile · family Phrynosomatidae · order Squamata

  1. G1
    Critically imperiled
  2. G2
    Imperiled
  3. G3
    Vulnerable
  4. G4
    Apparently secure
  5. G5
    Secure

NatureServe global rank G4: apparently secure[2].

Updated October 30, 2026. Published by Humblebee.

Endangered Species Act
Not listed[1]
NatureServe global rank
G4 Apparently Secure[2]
Native in
7 states[3]
Typical length
7 in[4]

The Texas Horned Lizard is a reptile in the family Phrynosomatidae[5]. It is native to 7 US states and is not listed under the US Endangered Species Act[3][1].

Conservation status

NatureServe ranks the Texas Horned Lizard G4 worldwide, which means Apparently Secure[2]. Its US rank is N4, also Apparently Secure[6]. The IUCN Red List category recorded by NatureServe is Least concern[7]. It is not listed as endangered or threatened under the ESA[1]. NatureServe notes that the species likely continues to decline[8].

Status Value
Endangered Species Act[1] Not listed
NatureServe global rank[2] G4 (Apparently Secure)
NatureServe US rank[6] N4 (Apparently Secure)
IUCN Red List (via NatureServe)[7] Least concern
Total population (NatureServe estimate)[9] 10,000 to >1,000,000 individuals

Where Texas Horned Lizard lives

NatureServe lists the lizard as native in Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas[3]. It is introduced, meaning not native, in Alabama, Georgia and North Carolina[10]. NatureServe ranks it as extirpated or possibly extirpated in Arkansas and Louisiana[11]. Extirpated means it has disappeared from a place.

Alaska: not recordedAKMaine: not recordedMEWisconsin: not recordedWIVermont: not recordedVTNew Hampshire: not recordedNHWashington: not recordedWAIdaho: not recordedIDMontana: not recordedMTNorth Dakota: not recordedNDMinnesota: not recordedMNIllinois: not recordedILMichigan: not recordedMINew York: not recordedNYMassachusetts: not recordedMAOregon: not recordedORNevada: not recordedNVWyoming: not recordedWYSouth Dakota: not recordedSDIowa: not recordedIAIndiana: not recordedINOhio: not recordedOHPennsylvania: not recordedPANew Jersey: not recordedNJConnecticut: not recordedCTRhode Island: not recordedRICalifornia: not recordedCAUtah: not recordedUTColorado: native, state rank S3CONebraska: not recordedNEMissouri: native, state rank S2MOKentucky: not recordedKYWest Virginia: not recordedWVVirginia: not recordedVAMaryland: not recordedMDDelaware: not recordedDEArizona: native, state rank S3AZNew Mexico: native, state rank S5NMKansas: native, state rank S4KSArkansas: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SHARTennessee: not recordedTNNorth Carolina: introduced, state rank SNANCSouth Carolina: not recordedSCDistrict of Columbia: not recordedDCOklahoma: native, state rank S2OKLouisiana: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SXLAMississippi: not recordedMSAlabama: introduced, state rank SNAALGeorgia: introduced, state rank SNAGAHawaii: not recordedHITexas: native, state rank S3TXFlorida: not recordedFLPuerto Rico: not recordedPR
State presence as recorded by NatureServe[12].
Show state ranks (12 states)
StateRankMeaning
AlabamaSNANot Applicable
ArizonaS3Vulnerable
ArkansasSHPossibly Extirpated
ColoradoS3Vulnerable
GeorgiaSNANot Applicable
KansasS4Apparently Secure
LouisianaSXPresumed Extirpated
MissouriS2Imperiled
New MexicoS5Secure
North CarolinaSNANot Applicable
OklahomaS2Imperiled
TexasS3Vulnerable

Habitat

NatureServe records shrubland, grassland and desert habitats for this lizard[13]. It lives in open dry country with sparse plants such as grass, cactus or scattered brush[14]. The soil can be sandy or rocky[14]. When resting, it digs into the soil, uses burrows made by rodents, or hides under rocks[14].

Habitat types recorded by NatureServe[13]

Size and diet

Adults eat mostly ants, and they also eat other small insects, especially beetles[15]. NatureServe records them as invertivores, which means animals that eat invertebrates[16]. The typical length recorded is 18 cm (7 in)[4]. A female lays a clutch of 14 to 60 eggs between May and July[17]. The eggs hatch in about 6 weeks[17]. NatureServe estimates the total adult population at 10,000 to >1,000,000 individuals[9].

Trait Value
Typical length[4] 18 cm (7 in)
Food habits[16] Invertivore
Migration[18] non-migrant

When to look for it

The lizard is diurnal, which means active in the daytime, and it hibernates or aestivates, which means it rests through harsh seasons[19]. In the north it is active from April to September[20]. NatureServe lists it as a non-migrant, though populations can differ[18]. GBIF records peak in May, June and July[21]. Those records show when people look and report, not how many animals there are[21].

January: 23 recordsJanFebruary: 19 recordsFebMarch: 243 recordsMarApril: 1,532 recordsAprMay: 2,680 recordsMayJune: 3,594 recordsJunJuly: 2,331 recordsJulAugust: 1,513 recordsAugSeptember: 894 recordsSepOctober: 247 recordsOctNovember: 89 recordsNovDecember: 18 recordsDec
US observation records on GBIF by month, all years. The three months with the most records are highlighted. Records show when people look and report, not how many animals there are[21].
Show records by month
MonthRecords
January23
February19
March243
April1,532
May2,680
June3,594
July2,331
August1,513
September894
October247
November89
December18

Where to see it

National Park Service species lists record Texas Horned Lizard as present in 14 park units[22]. Present means the park has a confirmed record, not that sightings are common.

States with the most GBIF observation records: Texas, New Mexico, Kansas, Oklahoma, Arizona[23]. These counts follow where people look and report, not population size.

Questions people ask

Is the Texas Horned Lizard endangered?
It is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act[1]. NatureServe ranks it G4, Apparently Secure[2].
Where does the Texas Horned Lizard live?
It is native to Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas[3]. It has been introduced in Alabama, Georgia and North Carolina[10].
What does the Texas Horned Lizard eat?
It eats mainly ants, and also other small insects such as beetles[15].
How big is a Texas Horned Lizard?
The typical length recorded by NatureServe is 18 cm (7 in)[4].
When can you see a Texas Horned Lizard?
In the north it is active from April to September[20]. GBIF observation records peak in May, June and July[21].

Facts and sources

  1. Texas Horned Lizard is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act in USFWS ECOS data (checked 2026-10-30). USFWS ECOS
  2. NatureServe global conservation status rank for Texas Horned Lizard: G4 (Apparently Secure). NatureServe Explorer
  3. NatureServe lists Texas Horned Lizard as native in 7 US states and territories: Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas. NatureServe Explorer
  4. Typical length recorded by NatureServe: 18 cm (7 in). NatureServe Explorer
  5. Texas Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma cornutum) is a reptile in the family Phrynosomatidae, order Squamata. NatureServe Explorer
  6. NatureServe national rank in the United States: N4 (Apparently Secure). NatureServe Explorer
  7. IUCN Red List category as recorded by NatureServe: Least concern. NatureServe Explorer
  8. NatureServe notes on trend for Texas Horned Lizard. NatureServe Explorer
  9. NatureServe estimate of total adult population (global, as a range): 10,000 to >1,000,000 individuals. NatureServe Explorer
  10. NatureServe lists Texas Horned Lizard as introduced (not native) in: Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina. NatureServe Explorer
  11. NatureServe ranks Texas Horned Lizard as extirpated or possibly extirpated (SX or SH) in: Arkansas, Louisiana. NatureServe Explorer
  12. NatureServe state ranks for Texas Horned Lizard (map and table on this page). NatureServe Explorer
  13. Habitat types NatureServe records for Texas Horned Lizard: Shrubland/chaparral, Grassland/herbaceous, Desert. NatureServe Explorer
  14. NatureServe notes on habitat for Texas Horned Lizard. NatureServe Explorer
  15. NatureServe notes on food for Texas Horned Lizard. NatureServe Explorer
  16. Adult food habits recorded by NatureServe: Invertivore. NatureServe Explorer
  17. NatureServe notes on reproduction for Texas Horned Lizard. NatureServe Explorer
  18. NatureServe migration category for Texas Horned Lizard: non-migrant (populations can differ). NatureServe Explorer
  19. Adult activity patterns recorded by NatureServe: Hibernates/aestivates, Diurnal. NatureServe Explorer
  20. NatureServe notes on phenology for Texas Horned Lizard. NatureServe Explorer
  21. GBIF observation records of Texas Horned Lizard in the US by month (chart on this page). GBIF
  22. NPSpecies park lists recording Texas Horned Lizard as present (list on this page). NPS NPSpecies
  23. US states with the most GBIF observation records of Texas Horned Lizard: Texas, New Mexico, Kansas, Oklahoma, Arizona. Record counts follow observer effort, not population size. GBIF

Status, range and habitat come from NatureServe Explorer (CC BY 4.0) and USFWS ECOS at the snapshot date. Listings change by federal rule. State lists are where NatureServe records the species, not a promise that you will see it there. Never name a place smaller than a state. GBIF and park records count observations and checklists. They show where and when people report the species, not how many animals live there.

NatureServe. 2026. NatureServe Explorer [web application]. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available https://explorer.natureserve.org. (Accessed: October 30, 2026). Licensed under CC BY 4.0; SpeciesFacts selected and summarized it.