• Afternoon clouds cover the distance peaks of the iconic Boney Mountain

    Santa Monica Mountains

    National Recreation Area California

There are park alerts in effect.
show Alerts »

  • Partial Park Closure Due to Hazardous Conditions

    Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa re-opens 5/14/13, with restrictions (sunrise to sunset, not all trails). Sandstone Peak & Mishe Mokwa trails will also open, as will Backbone Trail east of Point Mugu State Park boundary. Point Mugu backcountry remains closed. More »

  • Trucks on Cheeseboro Canyon Trail

    Occasional truck traffic (approx 6 trips per day) will take place on Cheeseboro Cyn Trail weekdays between 8am & 4pm for demolition and removal of Cheeseboro Tank. Should be completed by 5/24/13. Check back for updates or call 818-889-8996. More »

Blainville's Horned Lizard

Coast Horned Lizard

A Blainville Horned Lizard relaxing on a rock.

Science 360/Jimmy A. McGuire

Scientific Name
Phrynosoma blainvillii (coronata)

Introduction
The Blainville's (formerly Coast) Horned Lizard can be found throughout the Santa Monica Mountains. Their cryptic coloring enables them to blend into the background making them difficult to spot. They are capable of quickly running away for only a short distance at the approach of a predator. As a last resort, it will spray the intruder with blood from the corners of its eyes

Appearance
The Blainville's Horned Lizard is a flat-bodied lizard with a wide oval-shaped body. Adults can vary in length from 2.5-4.5 inches (snout to vent) and have enlarged pointed scales scattered on the upper body and tail, and a large crown of horns or spines on the head.
The species vary in color from reddish, brown, yellow, or gray, with dark blotches on the back and large dark spots on the sides of the neck.

Range
The Blainville's Horned Lizard is found along the Pacific coast from the Baja California border west of the deserts and the Sierra Nevada, north to the Bay Area, and inland as far north as Shasta Reservoir, and south into Baja California.

Habitat
In the Santa Monica Mountains, Blainville's Horned Lizards can be found frequently near ant hills in open areas of sandy soil and low vegetation in valleys, foothills and semiarid mountains.

 
Blainville Coast Horned Lizard

The Coast Horned Lizard has a distinctive flat body.

USGS/Chris Brown

Feeding
Adult lizards eat mainly ants, especially harvester ants, but can also consume other small invertebrates such as spiders, beetles, termites, flies, bees, and grasshoppers.

Reproduction
In the Santa Monica Mountains and Simi Hills, females lay 6-21 eggs in May to June, with hatching from August to September. Some females may lay two clutches in a year.

Conservation Status
Blainville's Horned Lizard populations have suffered population declines in most of its range due to habitat destruction from human development and agriculture, and the spread of nonnative ants, such as Argentine Ants which displace the native ant food source. Blainville's Horned Lizards are currently listed as a California Species of Special Concern (California Department of Fish and Wildlife) and are a park species of special concern.

 
  • Alligator lizard caught during a pitfall trap survey in the Santa Monica Mountains.
    SAMO Lizards
    4 Photos

  • Mediterranean Coast Network Inventory & Monitoring Program Mediterranean Coast Network Inventory & Monitoring Program

    Learn more about the Mediterranean Coast Network Inventory & Monitoring Program Read More

  • Reptile and Amphibian Field Guide Reptile and Amphibian Field Guide

    More information on the reptiles and amphibians of coastal Southern California Read More

Did You Know?

Franklin Canyon is a great place for natural and city views.

At the geographical center of Los Angeles is a national park site. At Franklin Canyon Ranch in Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, you can see cityscapes and natural views. The recreation area extendes in an east-west direction running through the heart of the city.