Horned Toad

Basic Info

Horned Toads are usually brown to gray in coloring, and measure between three and seven inches in length. Some are more creamy or white in color, and others may have colorful markings. It all depends on the Horned Toad's habitat, since it relies on its color for camouflage. They are spiny to discourage predators. The horns, which give these lizards their name, are actually modified scales over the back and sides of their heads. Horned Toads have large stomachs in order to hold lots of insects without hampering the animal's ability to move about. Children commonly catch Horned Toads, because their flat shape makes it rather difficult for them to move quickly or agilely. They generally have an overall round shape.

Health

Be careful when handling Horned Toads because they cannot regenerate their tails like the majority of lizards can. Their tails do not easily detach. Breeding Generally, Horned Toads will produce eggs or live young, depending on the species. The young grow extremely quickly.

Habitat

Southern Canada down to Guatemala

Behavior

The amazing little Horned Toad is actually quite common in many areas of the Americas and is gentle enough to be handled by the children who often enjoy catching these animals. When a Horned Toad feels threatened, it may hiss and puff out its body to look larger. If the danger does not disperse, the Horned Toad will squirt blood out of glands located in the corners of its eyes in order to scare the attacker away. Its spine also protects it from the snakes, roadrunners and coyotes that try to eat it. To catch these insects, the Horned Toad will remain motionless until the prey comes close to it. It may take a few steps toward the insect, or if the prey is close enough, flick out its tongue to catch it. A Horned Toad can eat as much as 100 ants in just one day. Most of the water Horned Toads need is obtained from their food or from dew or raindrops on plants. It has been reported that the Horned Toad cannot handle fire ants. The rumor around central Texas is that the fire ant is responsible for the relative scarcity of the Horned Toad in this area. When it rains, Horned Toads use their backs to funnel water into their mouths. At night, the Horned Lizard burrows into the ground to bury itself a few inches beneath the surface and emerges in the day to bask. When they are too hot, Horned Toads will seek shade in a bush or may bury themselves. They can also hibernate in winter, and because of these adaptations, Horned Toads can inhabit climates from temperate woodlands to deserts.

Origin

North and South America

History

Horned Lizards, or Horned Toads as they are more commonly called, make their homes all the way from southern Canada down to Guatemala, effectively encompassing almost all of North and Central America. Called Horny Toads by many children, these gentle but frightening looking little lizards are a common sight in many warm or dry areas.

Common Foods

Horned Toads usually feed on insects and eat ants, beetles, grasshoppers and spiders to name a few prey items.