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Texas horned lizard .
WE’VE GOT ANSWERS
S E E S H A R E S C I E N C E BIOLOGISTS REPLY TO LIZARD FAQS
Texas horned lizards, or the more familiar WHERE DID THEY GO?
“horned toads,” hold a special interest for Historically, Texas horned lizards were
many outdoor enthusiasts. They often feature found across about 80% of Oklahoma’s coun-
fondly in childhood memories, spark a curi- ties, foraging in native grasslands for ants and
osity about the natural world, and can bring other insects during their active season and
excited smiles when encountered. But these burrowing underground to avoid extreme
tank-like animals aren’t stumbled upon as temperatures. But the lizards have become
frequently as they have been in the past. We increasingly scarce as more and more of their
checked in with biologists Mark Howery and habitat has been converted to crop fields and
Cheyenne Gonzales to answer a few of the non-native pastures.
Wildlife Department’s most frequently asked “Texas horned lizards are undoubtedly expe-
lizard questions and learn how to best help riencing declines,” said Mark Howery, senior
S E E these well-loved reptiles. biologist with the Wildlife Department’s Wildlife
38 OUTDOOR OKLAHOMA