The Texas horned lizards were approximate 2.5 to 3.5 months old at the time of the release and weighed between 3.4 and 12 grams.
The San Antonio Zoo and Zoo Miami announced yesterday the release of 50 Texas horned lizards (Phrynosoma cornutum) at a ranch in Blanco County, TX. The lizards came from seven clutches that were raised at the San Antonio Zoo’s Center for Conservation & Research (CCR). They were approximate 2.5 to 3.5 months old at the time of the release and weighed between 3.4 and 12 grams, according to a press release posted on the San Antonio Zoo’s Facebook page.
“Participating in this release was a unique opportunity,” Dr. Andy Gluesenkamp, Director of the CCR said in the post on social media. “The presence of influential figures like Josh Abbott and international guests highlights the widespread support and enthusiasm for our efforts. By rigorously evaluating candidate release sites and partnering with landowners, we’re laying the groundwork for the successful reintroduction of this treasured species.”
Since the Texas Horned Lizard Reintroduction Project launched in 2017, 258 captive born and bred lizards have been released into the wild. The project also relies on the The Texas Horned Lizard Detection Canine Network with assistance from Chiron K9 to track the movements of these lizards. The dogs are trained to smell the lizard’s scat, or poop, as they move about their new environments.
34 Texas Horned Lizards Released By San Antonio Zoo
Where Did All The Horny Toads Go?
“We are exceptionally proud of this milestone, which represents a beacon of hope for conservation worldwide,” Tim Morrow, President & CEO of San Antonio Zoo said. “Our collective efforts are not only reviving the horned lizard population but are also enhancing biodiversity across Texas. This project exemplifies the power of collaboration in achieving meaningful conservation outcomes.”
The Texas horned lizard is listed as Threatened by the state. Photo by Matt Jeppson/Shutterstock
Texas Horned Lizard Information
Horned lizards (Phrynosoma sp), often called “horny toads” or “horned frogs” are quite possibly the most gregarious genus of lizard species in North America. Of the 15 known horned lizard species in the United States, the Texas horned lizard is the most widely distributed. Once abundant in much of the Southwest, the Texas horned lizard has disappeared from much of its range in Texas and Oklahoma. It is listed as Threatened by the state. This is due to a variety of factors, including loss of habitat, planting of non-native grasses, conversion of land to pastureland and agricultural use, and the introduction of the invasive fire ant, which preys upon the native ants that horned lizards require to survive. These little dinosaurs do not make good pets because they require a steady diet of harvester ants.
