Short-horned Lizards are flat-bodied, squat lizards with short spines that crown the head with a snub-nosed profile and short legs. The trunk is fringed by a row of pointed scales with smooth belly scales. Their coloring can be gray, yellow, or reddish-brown, and there are two rows of large dark spots on the back. Their colors become more intense when they feel threatened or aggressive.

Females grow larger than males and average close to 2.75 inches from snout to vent and weigh about 18 g, while males are only about 5 cm and weigh close to 10 g.

These predators sit and wait for food to come to them. They feed mainly on ants, but also eat grasshoppers and beetles. They can often be found near ant nests and trails and they are the most active during midday while burrowing at night. They rely on their camouflage to protect against predators.

Their mating season is in spring between May and June and they are viviparous animals. Females gives birth to 6 to 11 in late July to early August. These offspring measure close to 24 mm from snout to vent and weigh close to one gram each. The young have no horns, however they can take care of themselves within only a few hours. Suggest a better description.