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| Photo Source: Public Domain Pictures Texas Horned Lizard |
This unusual looking creature is commonly known as the
“Horny Toad”, but is real name is horned lizard. He gets the name Horny Toad
from the “horns” on the back of his head and his round squatty body and his
short blunt nose, resembling a toad. The “horns” or spines on its back and
sides, are not actually horns but modified scales. However, the horns on its
head are actually horns being made up of a bony material and not scales.
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| Photo courtesy of
Michael
Elliott at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
|
The horny toad has a couple of unusual and amazing features,
not only does this lizard actually have real horns, but when threatened, he can
“puff up” to appear much larger than he is, to hopefully scare off any
predators with his ominous appearance. If that doesn’t work, most horned
lizards can actually shoot a stream of blood out of the corner of their eyes!
They can squirt this blood up to 3 to 5 feet in distance and their aim is
exceptional! The aim for their predator’s eyes, trying to temporarily blind
them, they will also aim for the mouth as the blood will leave a terrible taste
in their mouth and hopefully the predator will decide to leave them alone.
The horny toad lives in desert climates if the US. There are
approximately 15 different species of horned lizards in the US. The largest of
these is the Texas horned lizard which is 3 to 6 inches long. They are normally
found in arid regions such as Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Oklahoma, Kansas, Louisiana
and parts of Mexico. In 1993, the Texas horned lizard was designated as the
state reptile of Texas and it is actually illegal to capture, transport or keep
a Texas horned lizard in the state of Texas and they have been declared a “threatened
species”.
The population of the Texas horned lizard has declined
drastically over the last several decades. I can remember playing with them
when I was a kid, but I rarely see one anymore. One reason for this decline is
in the decline in the number of carpenter ants. Carpenter ants are a major
staple food for horned lizards and the number of carpenter ants are on the
decline as well. They will also eat other types of ants, bees, beetles,
termites and other small insects.
The “Horney Toad” or horned lizard is definitely an unusual
creature and are harmless to humans, however, if you see one, don’t try to take
it home for a pet. Let it live on and multiply, I would have to see these
wonderful reptiles disappear!
