Species Detail
Texas Horned Lizard
Horned & Spiny Lizards

Texas Horned Lizard

Phrynosoma cornutum

Habitat

Arid grasslands and desert scrub

Range

South Central United States, Northern Mexico

Adult Size

3-5 in (7.5-12.5 cm)

Diet

Primarily ants, occasional insects

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Conservation status:Least Concern

Breeding Calendar

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Incubation

Temperature, humidity, and timeline guidance for incubating Texas Horned Lizard eggs.

Temperature

82โ€“88ยฐF (28โ€“31ยฐC)

Humidity

60โ€“80%

Incubation Period

45โ€“75 days

Breeding season:Late winter through early summer
Egg Care

Incubate eggs in a sealed container with slightly moistened vermiculite or perlite (1:1 ratio by weight with water). Do not turn the eggs โ€” keep them in the orientation they were laid. Open the container briefly once a week for air exchange.

Incubation Notes

In many desert species (e.g. Leopard Geckos), incubation temperature influences sex determination: lower temps (~80ยฐF) produce females, higher temps (~88ยฐF) produce males, intermediate temps produce mixed clutches.

Hatchling & Baby Care

Housing

House hatchlings individually in 10-gal tanks or kritter keepers with paper towel substrate (easy to monitor feeding and fecals). Provide a small hide on each end and a shallow water dish.

Baby Temperature

Basking surface 90ยฐF, warm ambient 85ยฐF, cool side 75โ€“80ยฐF

Feeding

Feed pinhead crickets or small mealworms daily. Dust prey with calcium + D3 at every feeding and a multivitamin once a week. Food should be no larger than the space between the baby's eyes.

Baby Care Notes

Do not house hatchlings together โ€” they may nip tails or toes. Keep a moist hide available to support healthy sheds. First shed typically occurs within 3โ€“5 days of hatching; begin offering food after the first shed.