The Horned Lizard Reptiles 
digs deeper until covered with sand, only the top of 
the head remaining in sight. 
The horned lizard is protected by its spines, 
which should make a snake, or other fierce creature 
think twice before trying to swallow such a prickly 
morsel; and, too, it imitates the hue of the sand in 
its colors, so that it is practically invisible until it 
moves. It likes to clamber about on the cacti, agaves 
and yuccas, and seek protection among their thorns. 
Hornykins feeds entirely upon insects. He does 
not dart about like the other lizards, but approaches 
his prey more deliberately; and, when near to it, out 
darts a sticky tongue, and the unfortunate insect 
disappears. However, it shows its lizard relationship 
by darting off with great rapidity when frightened. 
When caught, it flattens out, closes its eyes, and acts 
as if it were dead. When it is playing this little trick, 
if we tickle its sides gently, it will swell up to almost 
twice its natural size. Whether this is a sign of fear 
or of appreciation, we do not know. Sometimes, 
under great provocation, these lizards have been 
known to throw a jet of blood from the eyelids. 
The young horned toads occur in litters of from 
six to a dozen, and each little fellow is encased in a 
transparent membrane, like a gelatine capsule. It 
usually breaks this membrane within an hour, and 
although it is not so spiny as its parents, it is active, 
and starts at once to earn its living by catching 
insects. 
HOUSE 
A cage of wire netting or glass, at least two feet 
square should be provided for the horned lizard. 
The bottom of the cage should be covered with three 
or four inches of clean building sand, which has been 
thoroughly dried in the oven. A cactus should be 
279 
