adaptations of horned lizards

Question
hi there I am currently trying to find adaptations of the horned lizard to it's arid environment. I can find loads on it's defense mechanisms but when it comes to how it is adapted to survive in the desert I am having problems, please can you shed any light on the subject. Thanks Amy

Answer
Hello Amy, are you looking for Horned Lizards in general? Because there are many different species and they have all adapted differently to different conditions?
They have adapted to the environment in sense of color and camoflauging themselves to avoid predators, but I beleive you are looking for more information about how they have become to deal with the hot temperatures and little water and such correct?

Many reptiles that live in arid environments get most of the liquid and water they need from the food they eat. They are able to live off of the very little amount of water that they get from insects they have eaten. Like thsi link here states:



http://digital-desert.com/joshua-tree-national-park/snakes.html
-QUOTE BELOW IS FROM LINK ABOVE-
"The most limiting factor for life on the desert is drinking water. Reptiles are pre-adapted to such arid conditions. They do not need water for cooling because they do not perspire or pant. They just crawl into a cool hole in the heat of the day. Their scales also greatly retard water loss through the skin. In addition, reptiles do not need water for excretion; they produce no urine. Their nitrogenous wastes are excreted as a solid: uric acid. Reptiles can get all the water they need from the food they eat. Although desert tortoises and probably most other reptiles will drink water when it appears after summer rains, many lizards and snakes probably go their whole lives without a drink of water."


I hope that helps you out, let me know if you need more information or need more precise information.

GOod luck