About Phrynosoma coronatum (Blainville, 1835)
Skin and Spike Characteristics
The coast horned lizard (Phrynosoma coronatum) has an outwardly rough, spiky appearance, but its skin is actually smooth. It has sharp spikes running along its sides, back, and head.
Size
This is a large species that can reach 10 centimeters (4 inches) in length when the tail is excluded.
Body Shape
It has a less rounded body shape than other horned lizard species.
Body Markings
It has two large dark blotches on the area behind its head, with three broad bands across its body following these blotches, and several smaller bands running along its tail.
Coloration
Its base color comes in a range of brown shades, with cream-colored accents surrounding the blotches and along the outer edges of its scales.
