Closure of "North Pole Encounter" for Renovation
Decorative imageDecorative image
Careers
Decorative imageDecorative image
Contact Us
Decorative imageDecorative image
Members Login
Stylized logo of blue mountains, water, and an orange crescent.Stylized logo of blue mountains, water, and an orange crescent.
Water World
Blue seahorse logo with waves in a white circleBlue seahorse logo with waves in a white circle
Ocean Park Corporation
Ocean Park Hong Kong logo featuring a seal mascot splashing water and the Chinese text 香港海洋公園.Ocean Park Hong Kong logo featuring a seal mascot splashing water and the Chinese text 香港海洋公園.
Ticket & OfferA Day at the ParkPark InformationAnnual Membership Conservation & EducationPlan Your Events
Buy Ticket

  • Homepage
  • Conservation & Education
  • Animals & Plants
  • Giant Horned Lizard
Reptiles

Giant Horned Lizard

Scientific Name

Phrynosoma asio

Other Common Name(s)

Long Spined Horned Lizard

Body Length

Up to 20 cm

A grey silhouette of a lizard and a human hand.
A horned lizard stands on the edge of a water dish in a sandy enclosure.

Habitat

Savannas and forests

Green landscape with bushes and blue sky.
Two green trees and small bushes.

Diet

Ants, termites and other insects

A tarantula, a ladybug, and a centipede.

Fun Facts

  • With their armour of horns and spines and colouration that matches sand and rocks, giant horned lizards blend in well with their natural environment.

  • When threatened by predators, giant horned lizards may squirt a stream of blood out of their eye sockets. This sudden attack with foul tasting blood can repel the predators.

Horned lizard on a log.
A tan horned lizard with spiky scales looks forward while perched on a textured log.

Distribution

Southern part of Mexico and western part of Guatemala

Threats & Conservation

Threats & Conservation

Threats

Giant horned lizards are popular in pet trade. This species may be threatened if there is no regulation on the trade.

Conservation

IUCN Red List categories with "Least Concern" highlighted. Text reads "Endangered Species Red List" and "Least Concern".
CITES logo and text Appendix II

IUCN Red List

  • Least Concern

CITES

  • Appendix II

Conservation Regulations​

  • Protected under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap. 586) in Hong Kong

Support Mission R to protect animals & plants!

Saving Species & Habitats

Learn More
Panoramic view of a blue bay, green hills, and islands under a bright blue sky with white clouds.

Come and see our animals and plants

Greenish-grey iguana on a tree stump looking left.Greenish-grey iguana on a tree stump looking left.
Green circle
0 mins

Reptile Territory

Rainforest | The Summit

Fun Activities

Staff member showing tablet to two children and an adult at an animal exhibit.

Animal Programme

Rep Rep Press Conference

Explore more animals & plants

Horseshoe crab on sandy beach near water.

Invertebrates

Horseshoe Crabs

Two dolphins, an adult and a calf, swim underwater.

Mammals

Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphin

Brown horned frog on grass and leaves.

Amphibians

Long-nosed Horned Toad

Ocean Park Hong Kong logo featuring a seal mascot splashing water and the Chinese text 香港海洋公園.

Secure your membership today and embark on an extraordinary journey like no other! Join now

ACCREDITED BY THE ASSOCIATION OF ZOOS & AQUARIUMSACCREDITED BY THE ASSOCIATION OF ZOOS & AQUARIUMS
World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) logo, featuring a grey elephant and a blue fish, with text 'WAZA | United for Conservation'.World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) logo, featuring a grey elephant and a blue fish, with text 'WAZA | United for Conservation'.
Blue logo with white text "GLOBAL HUMANE CERTIFIED ZOOS & AQUARIUMS" and animal silhouettes.Blue logo with white text "GLOBAL HUMANE CERTIFIED ZOOS & AQUARIUMS" and animal silhouettes.
Accredited by the ALLIANCE of Marine Mammal Parks & Aquariums logoAccredited by the ALLIANCE of Marine Mammal Parks & Aquariums logo
Gold icon with "Accredited Attraction" and "cr" textGold icon with "Accredited Attraction" and "cr" text

Tickets and Offers

Admission Ticket & Special OffersOcean FasTrackGroup Ticket

A Day at the Park

Latest EventsAttractionsDining & ShoppingGet Closer to the AnimalsFamily Fun ActivitiesHotelsRecommended ItinerariesPanda Zone

Park Information

Park CalendarGetting HereGuest ServicesPark Notices

Annual Membership

Ocean Park Annual MembershipMembership TiersMember PrivilegesCurrent MembersTicket Conversion

Conservation & Education

ConservationEducation

Plan Your Events

Corporate Charter and Program​Social Events
FAQ
Press ReleasePark Rules and RegulationsWebsite Use & Access AgreementPersonal Information Collection StatementPrivacy Policy StatementTender Notices

Copyright © 2026 Ocean Park Hong Kong. All rights reserved.

Ocean Park Corporation is a charitable institution registered with Inland Revenue Department, Hong Kong (File No: 91/2801).

Ocean Park Hong Kong, 180 Wong Chuk Hang Road, Aberdeen, Hong Kong | Tel: (852) 3923 2323 | Fax: (852) 2873 5584

Ocean Park channel

facebook.svgfacebook.svg
instagram.svginstagram.svg
weibo.svgweibo.svg
rednote.svgrednote.svg
youtube.svgyoutube.svg
tiktok.svgtiktok.svg
tripadvisor.svgtripadvisor.svg

Panda channel

instagram.svginstagram.svg
rednote.svgrednote.svg
tiktok.svgtiktok.svg