What are Horned Lizards?
Also known as Horn Toads, or Horny Toads, these lizards are named after the spines on their backs and their toad-like appearance. Horned Lizards are adapted to dry and partly dry areas such as Texas and their diet contains mostly insects and some plant matter.
How did the Horned Lizards get their name?
Although Horned Lizards are identified as lizards, people often called them Horny Toads because of their wide and flat body shape. In fact, their scientific name Phrynosoma is taken from the Greek term for toad-bodied.
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Did you know?
When threatened, a horned lizard will flatten itself out or inflate to almost twice its normal size! Another defense tactic is shooting blood from their eye sockets!
Much like frogs and toads, horned lizards do not stalk their prey, but wait patiently for their prey to come close to strike.
A horned lizard can become camouflaged in almost any dry area, making it a unique trait.
Short-horned lizard babies become independent almost right after they are born!
Short-horned lizards weigh less than a quarter! The yearlings weigh less!
Why are Horned Lizards a threatened species?
Threats like habitat loss, invasive species of prey, and illegal hunting of these creatures threaten the survival of horned lizards. We can help save the species by spreading awareness of horned lizards and keeping track of invasive species, as well as refraining from hunting in the lizard’s habitat. Horned Lizards also do not do well in captivity, so it’s safe to say that these reptiles can remain successful if we allow them to stay in the wild.
Why are Horned Lizards worth saving?
These lizards have an important role of keeping ant populations in check, which helps all animals that can be stung by these venomous organisms. They can also have evolved large stomachs to consume great amounts of insects, including venomous species that can harm us and other creatures.
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