Texas Horned Lizard Watch

Facts

There are three species of horned lizard in Texas. You can tell them apart by the number and size of "horns" on their heads. Although all are protected, only the Texas horned lizard seems to have suffered dramatic population declines.

From: A Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern/Central North America (Peterson Field Guide Series - Houston Mifflin Co.)

Texas Horned Lizards feed primarily on harvester ants, also called red ants. Harvester ants build large mounds with a hole in the center. Mounds are very visible, because the ants remove the vegetation from a circular area 3 to 6 feet in diameter. One volunteer reports that one way to know if horned lizards are active is to watch for harvester ants—both species like it hot! (80-95°F).

Horned Lizard Head

Texas Horned Lizards have some amazing defenses! Its horny appearance and coloration helps it to blend into sparse vegetation. Its horns may make it less palatable. It can also inflate itself to a larger apparent size. Finally, the horned lizard is renowned for its ability to shoot a stream of blood from its eye (actually, its eyelid). Don’t mess with horny toads!