Pet Critique

Hi there, pet lovers! 🦎

Are you considering adding a unique and fascinating reptile to your collection? The Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma) might have caught your eye, but before you dive in, let’s take a closer look at what makes these spiky desert dwellers so intriguing—and why they might not be the best choice for everyone. Horned Lizards, often referred to as “horny toads” (though they’re not toads at all), are undeniably cool. With their incredible camouflage, spiky appearance, and even the ability to shoot blood from their eyes, they’re like something out of a sci-fi movie. But are they good pets? Let’s break it down.

Ease of Handling: 3/5

Horned Lizards are not the most handleable reptiles out there. While they aren’t aggressive or dangerous, they simply don’t enjoy being handled. These lizards are built for survival in the wild, not for cuddling. When you attempt to pick one up, it will likely freeze in place, hoping its incredible desert camouflage will make it invisible. If that doesn’t work, it might try to scurry away. And if it feels truly threatened, it might even resort to its signature defense mechanism: shooting a stream of stinky blood from its eyes. While this won’t harm you, it’s certainly not a pleasant experience for either party.

That said, Horned Lizards won’t bite, scratch, or whip you with their tails. They’re more likely to play dead or run than to fight. However, handling them can be stressful for the lizard, and it’s not an activity they derive any enjoyment from. If you’re looking for a reptile that tolerates or even enjoys handling, a Bearded Dragon or a Ball Python would be a better choice. Horned Lizards are best appreciated from a distance, as fascinating display animals rather than hands-on pets.

Care and Maintenance: 1/5

Caring for a Horned Lizard is not for the faint of heart. These lizards have highly specialized dietary needs that make them challenging to keep in captivity. Their primary food source? Ants. Specifically, harvester ants. A single Horned Lizard can consume upwards of 100 ants per day, which means you’ll need a steady and reliable supply of these insects. If you don’t have access to a thriving harvester ant colony, you’ll be looking at significant expenses to purchase ants regularly.

Some companies are developing formic acid supplements that can be used to dust other insects, like crickets, to mimic the nutritional profile of ants. However, Horned Lizards may refuse to eat anything other than ants, and even if they do accept supplemented crickets, you’ll still need to provide a large quantity of food daily. This makes their care not only labor-intensive but also costly.

Beyond their diet, Horned Lizards require a desert-style enclosure with a hot basking spot (around 100°F) and a cooler side to retreat to. A 20-gallon long tank is the minimum size recommended, as it provides enough space for a proper temperature gradient. They also need high levels of UVB lighting, real sand substrate (not calcium sand, which can be harmful if ingested), and a shallow water dish. While these setup requirements are fairly standard for desert reptiles, the dietary challenges make Horned Lizards a high-maintenance choice.

Health and Durability: 1/5

Horned Lizards are not particularly hardy in captivity, primarily due to their specialized diet. Without a consistent supply of harvester ants or a suitable alternative, they can quickly develop nutritional deficiencies and other health issues. Even with proper care, they are more delicate than many other reptile species, and minor mistakes in their environment—such as incorrect temperatures or humidity levels—can have serious consequences. In captivity, Horned Lizards typically live around 5 to 8 years, though their lifespan can vary depending on the quality of care they receive.

Additionally, introducing live ants to their enclosure comes with its own risks. Ants can bite or even kill the lizard if not managed carefully. This means you’ll need to monitor feeding sessions closely to ensure your Horned Lizard stays safe. For these reasons, Horned Lizards are not recommended for beginner reptile keepers or anyone without the time, resources, and dedication to meet their unique needs.

Availability: 2/5

Horned Lizards are not commonly available in the pet trade, and for good reason. They are challenging to care for, and their specialized diet makes them unsuitable for most hobbyists. While you might occasionally find them at reptile expos or through specialized breeders, they are far from a mainstream pet. Most Horned Lizards in the wild are protected by conservation laws, so capturing them from their natural habitat is illegal and unethical.

If you do come across a Horned Lizard for sale, it’s crucial to ensure it was captive-bred. Wild-caught individuals are more likely to carry parasites or diseases and may struggle to adapt to life in captivity. However, even captive-bred Horned Lizards are rare, and their availability is limited.

Initial Cost: 3/5

The upfront cost of setting up a Horned Lizard enclosure is relatively moderate. You’ll need a 20-gallon long tank, a secure lid, a basking lamp, UVB lighting, a heat mat or tape, sand substrate, and a few hides or decorations. These items can add up to a few hundred dollars, which is fairly standard for reptile setups. The lizard itself can cost anywhere from $50 to $200, depending on the species and whether it’s captive-bred.

However, the real expense comes from their diet. If you don’t have a harvester ant colony, you’ll need to budget for regular shipments of ants, which can cost $10 or more per week. Over the lifespan of the lizard, this can add up to thousands of dollars. Alternatively, setting up and maintaining a harvester ant colony requires time, effort, and additional costs. For most people, the ongoing expense of feeding a Horned Lizard makes them a less practical choice compared to other reptiles.

Final Thoughts: 2.0/5

Horned Lizards are undeniably fascinating creatures. Their unique appearance, incredible camouflage, and bizarre defense mechanisms make them a standout in the reptile world. However, their specialized care requirements, particularly their reliance on harvester ants, make them a challenging and expensive pet to keep. For most reptile enthusiasts, the Horned Lizard is better admired in the wild or through educational programs rather than kept as a pet.

That said, there is one exception: the Giant Mexican Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma asio). This species has a more varied diet and is being captive-bred in small numbers, making it a more viable option for those determined to own a Horned Lizard. However, even this species requires a significant commitment and is best left to experienced keepers.

If you’re drawn to the idea of a spiky, desert-dwelling lizard but want something more manageable, consider a Bearded Dragon or a Rankin’s Dragon. These species offer similar aesthetics and behaviors without the extreme care requirements of the Horned Lizard.

In conclusion, while Horned Lizards are incredibly cool, they are not the best choice for most pet owners. Their unique needs and challenges make them a niche pet that requires dedication, resources, and expertise. If you’re up for the challenge, they can be a rewarding addition to your collection—but for most of us, they’re best appreciated from afar.

We hope this review helps you make an informed decision! Have you ever encountered a Horned Lizard in the wild or considered keeping one as a pet? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below—we’d love to hear from you! 🦎