Trigger warning: it's a Good News story

[Bucky]

Horney Toads Making a Comeback in Texas

https://texashillcountry.com/texas-horned-lizard-comeback

Texas Horned Lizard Making a Comeback From the Brink

Texas named the Texas horned lizard, also known as the Texas horned frog or even the “horny toad,” as the state reptile. Due to its low numbers across the state, conservation groups consider it a threatened species. In recent years, though, the Texas horned lizard seems to be surging back, thanks to the efforts of some dedicated individuals.



The Fort Worth Zoo has one of the only breeding programs for this reptile. It produced 200 new lizards since 2005. A private landowner, working with the Fort Worth Zoo and Texas Parks and Wildlife, allowed 13 Texas horned lizards born in captivity to be released on his property. Those working together in this program hope the released Texas horned lizards will flourish in their new home.

[lark]

1. My grandparents lived in Weatherford TX and we drove there every year when I was growing up.

All of us loved to play with "horned toads", there were hundreds running around the property. Sad to hear they declined so badly.

[Bucky]

2. We need a mad scientist to genetically engineer them to eat fire ants

... and tv preachers

[MineralMan]

4. Oh, they do eat fire ants.

They love ants.

[lark]

5. LOL, I'll donate to that!

It won't be much, but I would give money to get rid of both pests. I got torn up by fire ants when cutting a dead limb off my oak tree. Ouch, that was a painful lesson. TV pastors are painful too.

[MineralMan]

3. One of my favorite animals.

We had them in California, where I grew up. Lots of them. Kids like me would pick them up when we saw them, and look at them as they sat quietly on the palms of our hands. Then, we'd put them down and let them go on their way. I'm sure I must have handled 100 of them as a child.

These days, they're scarce in California, too. Anything done to protect those little horned dragons is worth doing, I think.

[lark]

6. I loved them too. They were so exotic to this FL gal.

First we'd gather up a bunch of them and put them in a big box. Then we'd get bugs and feed them and release them before the end of the day, then start up again the next day with our horned toad hotel.

[Nasruddin]

10. "Horned Toal Hotel"

Sounds like one of those place where you get your kicks on Route 66.

[CrispyQ]

7. It's very cute!

The first year we lived in the house we're in now, there was a little population explosion of tiny little toads - no bigger than a quarter. You'd walk through the grass & they'd hop all over the place. I wouldn't let my husband pull into the driveway until I got out & cleared it first.

The following year - zero toads. ???

[northoftheborder]

8. We played with them also...

[DarthDem]

9. Aw!

That is good news! Very glad to hear it.

[WhiteTara]

11. I think my boy cousins probably decimated

the population when we were kids. I have no idea why, but they killed a lot of them.

[Solly Mack]

12. Yay!!

I love lizards.

[blogslut]

13. I love them!

[SaintLouisBlues]

14. As long as a Siren doesn't love me up and turn me into one.