The three species are known as the Texas horned lizard (Phrynosoma cornutum), the mountain short horned lizard (P. douglassii hernandesi), and the roundtail horned lizard (P. modestum). The roundtail horned lizard is the only naturally occurring horned lizard in Texas not protected under state regulations. Of the three, the Texas horned lizard has the greatest range in the state and is therefore much better known. All feed heavily on ants and the roundtail horned lizard utilizes this, food source almost entirely. The others consume other insects and arthropods as available, to vary their diet from ants.

Recognition of the horned lizards is not difficult and these three Texas species are rather easily differentiated from each other. The Texas horned lizard has a double row of spines on each side of the abdomen, the short-horned lizard has but a single row, and the roundtail horned lizard has none at all. These characteristics will not separate the three Texas species from those found in other states but only help distinguish between local forms. Each species reaches a different total length at full maturity. The maximum sizes are: Texas--7 1/8 inches; short-horned--5 7/8 inches; and roundtail--4 1/4 inches. There are other variations but these will serve to identify those known to come from Texas."

the only real danger this lizard could pose to the owner is the occassional stick in the finger by the cranial horns if it’s not handled gently and it begins to thrash it’s head. but it’s hardly enough to break the skin, or one of the reasons they are considered hard to keep.

nor is it the blood squirting from the eyes. this behavior is seldom exhibited towards humans. if you have one that does this repeatedly
it’s definitely overstressed and will probably never adjust well to captivity.

even the strict ant diet is not always the sole concern. harvester ants are more vital to some species than others, but I have had success with limited ants, using mostly pinhead crickets & small meal worms. though this is not a recommended indorsement of this diet over the ants. I suspect growth rate is reduced without ants due to the greater amount of undigestible components in crickets & meal worms.

the real reasons horned lizards are considered hard to keep ( by beginners ) is the overall lack of knowledge about reptile care. i.e.
hibernation, temps, hydration, & UV light requirements, etc., as well as the diet.

some species of horned lizards may adjust to an alternate diet, especially captive born ones. but most wild captured ones, being
used to ants, and stressed from being captured & being placed in a new environment, will probably refuse anything else. in many situations they may even refuse the ants. depending on the stress level of the particular lizard, this may lead to the situation where because of the stress it refuses food till it starves to death.

as with many reptiles, it can be kept healthy in captivity...but only if you’re well read on it’s needs & habits. this is why I recommend generally only those with previous reptile experience take it on...because these people have usually demonstrated in the past an ability to be knowledgeable & responsible keepers. with reptiles, if you’re not of that caliber, you’re not very long a reptile keeper!