Keeping and breeding of Giant horned lizard (Phrynosoma asio Cope, 1864) at BION Terrarium Center
Phrynosoma asio Cope, 1864 is a Phrynosomatidae species which is endemic to the Pacific coast of southern Mexico. It is the largest horned lizard and is also the slenderest, having a typical lizard-like appearance and inhabiting desert areas within their native range. The spines on its back and sides are made from modified scales, whereas the horns on its head are true horns (i.e., they have a bony core) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giant_horned_lizard).
P. asio is the largest species of horned lizards, reaching a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of 11.5 cm (4.52 in) and a total length of up to 20 cm (7.87 in). Their most distinctive features are: two rows of abdominal scales; three rows of large conical scales, widely spaced on the back; keeled scales arranged in serrated longitudinal rows; large keeled ventral scales numbering 30-35 across the widest point, constituting the “armor”. The coloration is sandy, with spikes, stripes and masking patterns. They have a broad, flattened body shape that is well suited for camouflage and their habits. Horned lizards are noticeably spiky with a crown of «horns» adorning the back of their heads and various spines on their bodies.
Keeping. We keep adults in groups of 5-6 individuals (both sexes, sometimes even 2 or 3 males in the group (2.4; 1.5; 3.3) or individually. They are mostly calm in terrarium conditions and get along well in a group, tolerating even individuals of same sex. They interact with each other by nodding their heads, waving their paws and tail. They shed by rubbing their body against decorative elements, so the latter should be presented inside the terrarium in quantities. We keep adult lizards in in horizontal type terrariums 160x60x50 cm (63.0×23.62×19.68 in). Thick layer of fine sand (depth from 3 to 12 cm (1.81-4.72 in) as they like to burrow themselves) mixed with small pieces of wood or without them is a good choice when it comes to choosing the substrate.
