Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am trying to find some Phrynosoma hernandezi.
Anyone know where? I am tring to find a good cold tolerant lizard any other suggestions?

SushiKing

I've posted that question here several times and one one responds. I don't know why? We are obviously doing something wrong.

The coninued digging I've done suggests that P. douglassi and P. platyrhinos may be alomost as cold tolerant and P. hernandesi. I'm going to start looking for those species and see if I have any more luck.

If I find anythign else I'll let you know,

Brian

esert HLs, Phrynosoma platyrhinos, can be found in the pet trade. If you want to spend money and find out their cold tolerence levels, do so. They are Desert Horned Lizards and their threshold for cold is not adapted to the high elevations or prolonged below freezing temps. The Shorthorned Lizard, P. hernandezi, is available in the pet trade, if collected in Nevada, and is somewhat more adept to cold. The Pygmy (Shorthorned) Horned Lizard, P. dougalssi, is not available in the pet trade. Lester G. Milroy III

According to the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map the northern 2/3s
of New Mexico is in zones 6 and 7. These are the same zones that cover most of southeastern MA. These maps were generated using lowest average temperatures over several years. I have a very hard time beleiving that New Mexico gets cold. (...and no the 50's are not cold.) But these maps indicate that the average lowest temperatures in northern NM is from 0- -10 degrees F.

If P. platyrhinos occurs in northern NM and the USDA Plant Hardiness Zones are correct it must be able to deal with such temperatures. I would much perfer P. hernandesi. Not only is it a more hardy animal but it is also ovoviviporous.

Brian

. platyrhinos does not occur in northern New Mexico. P. hernandezi does not occur in uniform distribution throughout the range described. There are several subspecies of hernandezi and some are low-land and some are high-land in distribution. Botonical hardiness and reptile hardiness to temperatures are no necessarily the same. The hernandezi that are in the pet trade may not be the ones you are looking for for cold adaptation. You are going to have to take what is available and test it from there. Lester G. Milroy III

I have a 20' x 20' Greenhouse in the mountains of northern california.
It does not snow that often but it does get very cold in the winter and VERY hot in the summer. Am I off by thinking this is the right lizard choice? any other suggestions would be great!

Thanks,

SushiKing

:Why? If you want P. hernandezi, you can find them in the pet trade and they are legal if they are from Nevada. Any other collection area is not legal and permits are required. Lester G. Milroy III