Phrynosoma douglasii
(Bell, 1828)
Pygmy Short-horned Lizard
G5SecureGlobal Rank
Least concernIUCN
UnknownThreat Impact
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.102494
Element CodeARACF12030
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVertebrate Animal
IUCNLeast concern
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomAnimalia
PhylumCraniata
ClassReptilia
OrderSquamata
FamilyPhrynosomatidae
GenusPhrynosoma
SynonymsPhrynosoma douglasi
Other Common NamesIguane pygmée à cornes courtes (FR) Iguane pygmée à petites cornes (FR) Northwestern Short-horned Lizard (EN) pygmy horned lizard (EN) Pygmy Short-horned Lizard (EN)
Concept ReferenceZamudio, K. R., K. B. Jones, and R. H. Ward. 1997. Molecular systematics of short-horned lizards: biogeography and taxonomy of a widespread species complex. Systematic Biology 46:284-305.
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2023-07-23
Change Date1997-10-28
Edition Date2023-07-23
Edition AuthorsHammerson, G. (2005); rev. R. L. Gundy (2023)
Threat ImpactUnknown
Range Extent200,000-2,500,000 square km (about 80,000-1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences81 - 300
Rank ReasonsPygmy short-horned lizards range from Washington to Idaho in the northwestern United States. Range extent has declined slightly in the past, but recent trends are not known. It is common with many occurrences and no major threats are known.
Range Extent CommentsThis species is found in northwestern United States. It ranges from eastern Washington south to northeastern California and east to northern Nevada, and eastern Idaho (Zamudio et al. 1997, Stebbins 2003). The eastern and southern limits of its range have not been precisely determined. There is an old record from extreme southwestern Montana, where the current status is unknown (St. John 2002, Werner et al. 2004). There are several historical records from the vicinity of Osoyoos Lake, British Columbia, Canada but this species is considered extirpated from Canada (Powell and Russell 1998, Ryder et al. 2006). The elevational range extends from around 300 to 1,830 meters (1,000-6,000 feet) (Stebbins 2003).
Occurrences CommentsThis species is represented by many occurrences scattered throughout its range.
Threat Impact CommentsNo major threats are known. Climate change is expected to heavily impact diurnal lizards, especially desert species (Sinervo et al. 2010). However, because it occupies such northern latitudes, it is unclear how severely climate change will impact this species.
Ecology & Habitat
Habitat
This lizard ranges from semiarid plains to high mountains: sagebrush, bunchgrass, pinyon-juniper woodland, openly spaced pines (Stebbins 2003). Usually it occurs in open, shrubby, or openly wooded areas with sparse vegetation at ground level. Soil may vary from rocky to sandy. When not active on the surface, the lizards burrow into the soil or occupy rodent burrows.
Reproduction
Gives birth to 3-15 young, mainly August to mid-September (Brown et al. 1995). Sexually mature in 2 or more years (Nussbaum et al. 1983).
Terrestrial HabitatsWoodland - HardwoodWoodland - ConiferWoodland - MixedShrubland/chaparralGrassland/herbaceousDesert
Other Nations (2)
CanadaNX
| Province | Rank | Native |
|---|
| British Columbia | SX | Yes |
United StatesN5
| Province | Rank | Native |
|---|
| Idaho | S3 | Yes |
| Oregon | S4 | Yes |
| Washington | S3 | Yes |
| California | SNR | Yes |
| North Dakota | SNR | Yes |
| Nevada | SNR | Yes |
Roadless Areas (19)
California (1)
| Area | Forest | Acres |
|---|
| Mt. Shasta B | Shasta-Trinity National Forest | 2,809 |
Montana (1)
| Area | Forest | Acres |
|---|
| Italian Peak | Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest | 90,401 |
References (20)
- Brown, H. A., R. B. Bury, D. M. Darda, L. V. Diller, C. R. Peterson, and R. M. Storm. 1995. Reptiles of Washington and Oregon. Seattle Audubon Society, Seattle, Washington. viii + 176 pp.
- Collins, J. T. 1990. Standard common and current scientific names for North American amphibians and reptiles. 3rd ed. Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles. Herpetological Circular No. 19. 41 pp.
- Crother, B. I. (editor). 2008. Scientific and standard English names of amphibians and reptiles of North America north of Mexico, with comments regarding confidence in our understanding. Sixth edition. Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles Herpetological Circular 37:1-84. Online with updates at: http://www.ssarherps.org/pages/comm_names/Index.php
- Crother, B. I. (editor). 2012. Scientific and standard English names of amphibians and reptiles of North America north of Mexico, with comments regarding confidence in our understanding. 7th edition. SSAR Herpetological Circular 39:1-92.
- Crother, B. I. (editor). 2017. Scientific and standard English names of amphibians and reptiles of North America north of Mexico, with comments regarding confidence in our understanding. 8th edition. SSAR Herpetological Circular 43:1-104. [Updates in SSAR North American Species Names Database at: https://ssarherps.org/cndb]
- Hammerson, G. A., and H. M. Smith. 1991. The correct spelling of the name of the short-horned lizard of North America. Bull. Maryland Herp. Soc. 27(3):121-127.
- Leaché, A.D., and C.W. Linkem. 2015. Phylogenomics of horned lizards (Genus: <i>Phrynosoma</i>) using targeted sequence capture data. Copeia 103(3):586-594.
- Nicholson, K. E. (ed.). 2025. Scientific and Standard English Names of Amphibians and Reptiles of North America North of Mexico, with Comments Regarding Confidence in Our Understanding. Ninth Edition. Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles. 87pp. Online database available at: https://cnah.org/SSARnames.aspx
- Nussbaum, R.A., E.D. Brodie, Jr., and R.M. Storm. 1983. Amphibians and Reptiles of the Pacific Northwest. University Press of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho. 332 pp.
- Pianka, E. R., and W. S. Parker. 1975. Ecology of horned lizards: a review with special reference to <i>Phrynosoma platyrhinos</i>. Copeia 1975(1):141-162.
- Powell, G. L., and A. P. Russell. 1998. The status of short-horned lizards, <i>Phrynosoma douglasii</i> and <i>P. hernandesi</i>, in Canada. Canadian Field-Naturalist 112:1-16.
- Reeder, T. W., and R. R. Montanucci. 2001. Phylogenetic analysis of the horned lizards (Phrynosomatidae: <i>Phrynosoma</i>): evidence from mitochondrial DNA and morphology. Copeia 2001:309-323.
- Reeve, W. L. 1952. Taxonomy and distribution of the horned lizards genus <i>Phrynosoma</i>. University of Kansas Science Bulletin 34:817-960.
- Sherbrooke, W. C. 2003. Introduction to horned lizards of North America. University of California Press, Berkeley.
- Stebbins, R. C. 1985a. A field guide to western reptiles and amphibians. Second edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, Massachusetts. xiv + 336 pp.
- Stebbins, R. C. 2003. A field guide to western reptiles and amphibians. Third edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston.
- St. John, A. 2002. Reptiles of the northwest. Lone Pine Publishing, Renton, Washington. 272 pp.
- Washington Herp Atlas. 2009 (map products updated March 2017). A cooperative effort of Washington Natural Heritage Program, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, U.S.D.I. Bureau of Land Management, and U.S. Forest Service. 250 pp.
- Werner, J. K., B. A. Maxell, P. Hendricks, and D. L. Flath. 2004. Amphibians and reptiles of Montana. Mountain Press Publishing Company, Missoula, Montana. xii + 262 pp.
- Zamudio, K. R., K. B. Jones, and R. H. Ward. 1997. Molecular systematics of short-horned lizards: biogeography and taxonomy of a widespread species complex. Systematic Biology 46:284-305.