Reptile & Amphibian Forums

is it normal for them to kind of wag their tail? its usually just when i feed him but i havent heard anyone else talk about it so i wasnt sure if they all do it or what

Yup, it's very normal. Some people will tell you that it's a way to show emotion, but realistically it's probably more of a feeding instinct. What type of HL is it?
-Ryan

i believe its a desert horned lizard, but im new to all of this and not very good and telling them apart. im in iowa, if you think theres a more likely one it could be from closer to here.

Did you catch it yourself in Iowa? Could be a cornutum or hernandesi if that's the case.

better do a lot of reading on them real fast if you're going to keep it.
-----
"A man that should call everything by it's right name, would hardly pass the streets without being knocked down as a common enemy." The Complete Works of George Savile, First Marquess of Halifax 1912,246

no i didnt catch it, but it was in a dumpy little pet store, so i dont know if they get their stuff from local dealers or what. ive been reading up on them, and i dont think im doing too bad. thanks for the help

No offense, but don't be too overconfident in your abilities with a horned lizard at this point. Anybody here who's been keeping them for any length of time will tell you that death can come quickly, without warning, and it happens often enough with the experienced keeper...but much more predictably often with beginners.
-----
"A man that should call everything by it's right name, would hardly pass the streets without being knocked down as a common enemy." The Complete Works of George Savile, First Marquess of Halifax 1912,246

I can't speak for HL's as I just got one last night but I know with my leopard geckos right before they strike their crickets their tail will shake kinda like a rattle snake shakes their rattles.