Phrynosoma orbiculare
Silhouette: Jose Carlos Arenas-Monroy · PhyloPic
In 3 days ~60% in a week ~90%
The Mexican Plateau horned lizard (Phrynosoma orbiculare) is a species of horned lizard in the family Phrynosomatidae. The species, also known commonly as the Chihuahua Desert horned lizard, is endemic to Mexico. There are five recognized subspecies. The specific epithet, orbiculare, comes from the Latin adjective orbis, meaning "circular".
The subspecific name, cortezii, is in honor of Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés. The subspecific name, dugesii, is in honor of French-born Mexican naturalist Alfredo Dugès, who is considered the "father" of Mexican herpetology.
P. orbiculare is found only in the high plateau country of central Mexico. Specifically, it is found in the Mexican states of Chihuahua, Durango, Morelos, Nuevo León, Puebla, and Veracruz. Five subspecies of P. orbiculare are recognized as being valid, including the nominotypical subspecies.
Phrynosoma orbiculare bradti Horowitz, 1955 Phrynosoma orbiculare cortezii (A.H.A. Duméril & Bocourt, 1870) Phrynosoma orbiculare dugesii (A.H.A. Duméril & Bocourt, 1870) Phrynosoma orbiculare orbiculare (Linnaeus, 1758)
Phrynosoma orbiculare orientale Horowitz, 1955 Nota bene: A trinomial... Wikipedia →
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cumbres de Monterrey National Park | 🇲🇽 Mexico |
More parks will be added in future updates.
| # | City | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Toluca | 🇲🇽 México | |
| 2 | Mexico City | 🇲🇽 México |
| # | Zoo / Centre | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Virginia Zoological Park | 🇺🇸 United States |
Possible
About 30% of wildlife watchers report a Mountain Horned Lizard sighting in Toluca on a given day, based on 24 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data. It is the 4th most-seen of the 9 reptiles we can rate there. Over three days the chance rises to about 60%, and over a week to about 90%, if each day is a fresh chance.
August
In that month about 50% of wildlife watchers report a Mountain Horned Lizard in Toluca on a given day, against under 5% in October to February, the lowest months. That is one of Toluca's wettest months, with about 150 mm of rain against 5 mm in December.
Between 11 am and 2 pm
Across all the parks we cover, that three-hour window holds the most Mountain Horned Lizard sightings with a recorded time, and about 9 in 10 of them come between 6 am and 6 pm: it is a daytime animal.
Yes
Of the 2 cities where we can rate Mountain Horned Lizard sightings, Toluca has the highest daily chance: about 30%. Next come Mexico City (México, about 10%).
Same family: Phrynosomatidae
The closest relatives of the Mountain Horned Lizard that you can see in Toluca (family Phrynosomatidae, Phrynosomatid Lizards) are Graphic Spiny Lizard (about 30%) and Crevice Swift (about 30%), with each one's daily chance of a sighting.
GBIF citizen-science records
It is estimated from how often the Mountain Horned Lizard is recorded against all the reptiles logged in Toluca (24 verified sightings), calibrated against known sighting rates. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10% because citizen-science data supports honest approximations, not decimals, and months with records from fewer than five people show "—". How it works.
