giant horned lizard

{{Short description|Species of lizard}}

{{speciesbox

| name = Giant horned lizard

| image = Phrynosoma asio.jpg

| status = LC

| status_system = IUCN3.1

| status_ref = Luis Canseco-Marquez, Antonio Muñoz, André García, Paulino Ponce. (2013). Phrynosoma asio. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species {{doi|10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-2.RLTS.T198393A2524363.en}}

| genus = Phrynosoma

| species = asio

| authority = Cope, 1864The Reptile Database. www.reptile-database.org.

}}

File:Phrynosoma asio sdzoo.jpg]]

File:Common Chuckwalla (Sauromalus ater), Giant Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma asio), Gila Monster (Heloderma suspectum).jpg and a gila monster, at the Bronx Zoo. ]]

The giant horned lizard (Phrynosoma asio) is a species of phrynosomatid lizard which is endemic to the Pacific coast of southern Mexico. It is the largest horned lizard and is also the most slender (it has a more typical lizard-like appearance). It is able to survive in the desert. 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). They are commonly named for their large size, which can reach up to 6 to 8 inches from snout to tail, hence the name.