Captive Husbandry and Reproduction of Phrynosoma asio (Squamata: Phrynosomatidae) at the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens

Abstract. Since 2003, the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens, along with San Diego Zoo, has participated in a cooperative, ongoing study of western Mexican herpetofauna conducted by Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon (UANL). One species of particular interest is the Giant Horned Lizard, Phrynosoma asio, which ranges along Pacific coastal forests of western Mexico from Colima south to northern Guatemala. Little is known about the natural history and breeding behavior of Giant Horned Lizards. One of the primary goals of this collaboration is to develop a baseline for successful captive maintenance and propagation of this species. As the first institution to successfully breed this species, Los Angeles Zoo staff has established several important husbandry guidelines.