The dinosaur-like beast moved out of the shadows to the edge of the clearing.  Jagged spikes protruded from its scaly body.  The ground trembled.   The trembling came from a van being driven in the Red Hills by ex-CSERC ecologist Dr. Tom Hofstra, who slid the van to a halt and jumped out to photograph this rare sighting of a horned lizard.  The lizards can sprint quickly when disturbed, but Tom got great photos that he generously shared with CSERC.

  Also sometimes called a "horned toad," the California horned lizard favors loose soils or sandy habitat in dry terrain where it can often bury itself so that it is difficult to see with only its head and back protruding.  It feeds on insects, especially ants.  Females lay eggs in the spring.  But what makes it especially unique is its ability to spray blood several feet from sinus ducts in the corner of its eyes toward a potential predator.

  Population studies have shown that the horned lizard has disappeared from much of its historic range in the Central Valley and along the coast of California.  Agriculture, development, and other habitat changes have combined with pesticide use to lead to declines across the State.  Anyone seeing horned lizards in the Red Hills (photo below where Tom found this one) or elsewhere in our region is asked to contact CSERC.