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“Harvester ants are feeding on the seeds of While habitat is the major factor in maintain-
these grasses and forbs, and while people may ing horned lizard populations, there are multi-
avoid spraying ant mounds with insecticide, ple other ways to help the lizards.
they may not realize that spraying ‘weeds’ with “If you’re trying to control fire ants, you
herbicide can be just as detrimental to the liz- can use 3 gallons of boiling water per mound
ards and their food supply.” instead of insecticides that may affect native
Keeping bermudagrass and other invasive, invertebrates,” Gonzales said. “And keeping
sod-forming grass at bay is another way to house cats indoors can also protect lizards and
accommodate lizards. other wildlife from predation.
“Don’t forget that roads can be a danger-
NATHAN HOLDEN/READERS' PHOTO SHOWCASE 2017 animals. You can help reduce road mortality
ous place for basking lizards and other small

by being mindful when traveling, especially on
dirt and pasture roads.”
Howery and Gonzales also encourage peo-
ple to share their Texas horned lizard sightings
at wildlifedepartment.com.
“In the last two years, we’ve received reports
of more than 500 individual lizards, more than
half of which have been juveniles, from 39 coun-
ties,” Gonzales said. “It’s always great to get
these reports and keep tabs on the population.”

LIZARD OR TOAD?
Despite the popular common name of
“horned toad,” these animals are technically
lizards. Both lizards and toads feed primarily
on insects, but only the reptilian lizards have
scales on their bodies, claws on their feet, and
most have external ear openings. Toads and
other amphibians have moist skin, which is
usually smooth, lack claws, and do not have
“Horned lizards will spend time in mowed external ear openings.
bermudagrass yards to bask in the sun and “Texas horned lizards are more adapted to
warm up, but they can’t live there full time,” drier environments than most reptiles and
warns Howery. “Bermudagrass doesn't pro- amphibians, but they likely have higher water
duce enough seeds to support harvester ants, requirements than we think,” Howery said. “In
and tall bermudagrass is difficult for horned fact, these lizards can funnel rain and dew down
lizards to move through. Keeping bermu- channels of scales on their back toward their
dagrass out of lizard habitat is key to maintain- mouths to drink or ‘harvest’ that moisture.”
ing the ideal combination of native vegetation
and bare ground.” WHAT IS THE WILDLIFE
Private landowners can get more tips for DEPARTMENT DOING FOR TEXAS
maintaining habitat for lizards, or any other HORNED LIZARDS?
native wildlife, by scheduling a visit with the In addition to collecting Texas horned liz-
Wildlife Department’s Private Lands Program. ard sightings from the public and monitor-

40 OUTDOOR OKLAHOMA