Greater Short-horned Lizard

The Greater Short-horned Lizard is a small, cryptic, flat and wide bodied lizard, named after the many short horns on its head and body. It can be found in the rugged sloped areas between upland grassland and coulee bottoms throughout the Northern Great Plains as far south as central Mexico. In Canada, the species distribution is limited to four distinct areas in southeast Alberta and two small areas in southwest Saskatchewan, both located inside Grasslands National Park but isolated by distance.

The main threats to the Greater Short-horned Lizard include the conversion of native habitat to crop and forage production, high-intensity prolonged grazing, invasion and establishment of exotic plants and inclement or extreme weather conditions.

Protecting species

Parks Canada, working with partners, has been surveying areas of known and unknown occupancy to increase knowledge on species distribution in the park. Future plans include working with volunteers to survey population and monitor changes of the species abundance and distribution through time, as well as conducting invasive species management and removal to increase habitat quality in core areas.

How You Can Help

Volunteer events provide the opportunity to help Grasslands National Park monitor Greater Short-horned Lizard, while experiencing and learning about its biology and conservation needs.