DON'T KILL NATIVE ANTS

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FOR THE SAKE OF THE HORNY TOAD

Amazing! Absolutely amazing! One cannot look at a Texas Horned Lizard or a Greater Short-horned Lizard (both considered horned lizards or -- a more common name -- “horny toad”) without marveling how amazing these lizard creatures are. Some suggest the horny toad looks as intimidating as the Tyrannosaurus Rex with threatening horns protruding from its scaly foreboding body. Really? Really!!! While Tyrannosaurus Rex, king of the dinosaurs, sported a size of twelve feet tall with a body length possibly reaching forty feet in the Maastrictian Age through the Cretaceous Period -- approximately sixty-seven million years ago -- before extinction, the horned lizard (Phrynosoma) is quite smaller, QUITE, QUITE smaller, perhaps sporting a height of an inch and a body length of a few inches. But for those who do not particularly like lizards, perhaps these small, prehistoric appearing beings are somewhat frightening.

How lucky we are in Arizona, New Mexico and Texas to have these extraordinary lizards! These little marvels eat pesty ants native to our regions. As for me, the horny toad looks rather harmless compared to a pile of unwanted ants. So, in theory, the Phrynosoma (horned toad) is comparable to Tyrannosaurus Rex in the fact that both species are noted for liking a good meal of meat. The issue approaching our regions is the meat of choice for the horned toad, the native harvester ant, is beginning to be sparse. The ant population is declining; therefore, threatening the existence of these marvelous little horned toads.

“What? Impossible!” you declare. “There are pesty, unwanted ants all over the place!”

Take a second to inspect the unwanted ants. Are they perhaps fire ants? Instead of native ants? Sadly, the invasion of the fire ants has decreased the population of native ants thus, posing a food source problem for the horny toad who seems not to prefer to feast upon fire ants. Yuck! Who would??? If I were a horned lizard, I think I would like native harvester ants instead of yucky fire ants.

An interesting fact here -- the horned toad actually uses its sticky tongue to scoop up the menacing harvester ant which is noted for hanging on to its victim while injecting stinging ant venom in it. Smart! Smart horny toads!

Humans are unfortunately part of the issue in the decline of the horned lizard. We unknowingly kill a major food source -- native ants. Also, our domesticated dogs and cats prey upon these small creatures, the remarkable lizards with horns.

The horned lizard is an ingenious species when it comes to survival techniques. First, the camouflage color of its toad like body blends in with its surroundings, making it difficult to see. This funny lizard will gulp air to expand its body so as to appear more menacing to potential predators.

As noted by Jonathan DuHamel, in the Arizona Independent News Network, in the article, “The Horned Lizard’s Clever Defenses,” (November 17, 2013), the horny toad may sit perfectly still when a rattlesnake approaches and then hastily scurry because rattlesnakes do not chase prey. But if a whip snake approaches, the horny toad may puff up its body as to give the impression it will be too difficult for the whip snake to swallow -- thus, discouraging the whip snake from eating it.

But perhaps one of the most distinctive traits of defense for the horny toad is its ability to spit or project blood from its eyes. What? Yes! It actually is able to restrict the blood flow in its head, creating pressure enough to rupture tiny blood vessels in the eyelids and the ability to project blood, as if spitting blood, from its eyes. Amazing! Apparently, the blood liquid is so bitter and foul tasting to canines and felines, it deters them from consuming the horned lizard. Also, it seems to confuse the predator.

Don’t doubt this at all! Would you really want to consume a horned creature who spit foul blood from its eyes at you? However, people being curious creatures -- apparently one or two of the humankind have ventured to taste the projected blood and say it isn’t all that bad. I personally would advise against this since firstly, the individuals who claim they did it are not beyond telling big tales and secondly, even though these individuals appeared strange before they tasted it, they seem stranger to me since they did – if they did.

Another unusual trait of the horned lizard is a white spot on the back of its head between its eyes. Scientists suggest this is a light sensing organ, giving the horned lizard an extra sense and insight into its environment and timing elements such as mating. Some even say that it is a “third eye.” This unique characteristic also gives the impression of a face on the back of the lizard, perhaps confusing potential predators who may think, “Is this the front? Or is this the front?”???

Now, I know you are thinking: Horny Toad or Horned Lizard? The classification of this unique being is in the genus of North American lizards. The reason some have described them as a horned toad, or horny toad, is because sometimes they appear slow or sluggish with a round, flat body style, resembling the body of a toad rather than a lizard.

So, the next time you decide to kill that pile of harvester ants, please think of these endangered, unique lizards who contribute to the mystique of the great Southwest. We are so very fortunate to be able to experience the presence of these mysterious little beings (hopefully, NOT sampling their blood projections!!!)

From our family to yours, may God bless you and yours and all the little creatures who make the great Southwest a unique and splendid place to live.

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