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Horned Toads live in the region between Arkansas and the Pacific coast. Instead of calling it the horned toad, people call it the “horny toad”. The name “horned toad ” became the name, because it has two horns right above his two eyes.
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The horned typically lives in dry or dessert areas. That is why they live in Mexico and the western states. The horned toad is a lizard that also lives in Wyoming. The horned toad is the state reptile of the state of Wyoming. It became the state reptile in February 1993. The horned toad can stay in sun that causes ground heat, which is almost unbearable to humans. The scientific name for the horned toad is phrynosoma platyrhinos.
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More about reptiles |
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The reptile is part of the genus Phrynosma. It means very flattened bodies. It has a short neck, tail, and legs. He has a horn spine that sticks out of his back. It also has rough skin. He has one row of abominable fringe scales located near the tail. The tail cannot regenerate itself. The horned toad is usually blended in with its environment, which is like a desert gray or the color of the soil. Its markings on his body are usually pastel tan, brown, red, or yellow.
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The horned toad hibernates in the fall and
winter months. When spring hits, or when the temperature is warm, it
emerges itself out. Hibernation runs through September to March or
April. Since the horned toad hibernates, it makes it possible to live in
woodlands. When it rains, the horned toad uses its back as a funnel to
carry the water to his mouth. |
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Horned toads have many habits in their
everyday life. In the 1st few hours of the day are spent basking until
the pleasing temperature. Next, they find food for them to eat. After a
while of searching for food, they get tired and look for slower moving
bugs. For most of the rest of the day, they sit under the shade of a
tree or a shrub. After, they search for something to eat. Then they go
to sleep by burrowing themselves three to four inches in the sand, so
that they cannot be seen as much. Though, if a predator creeps up on
them, there is less of a chance that the horned toad will get away. |
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The horned Toad has a possibility of dying
from other animals. Some predators include snakes, roadrunners, and
coyotes. To protect itself, it hisses and it puffs up his body to make
him look bigger. If the predator does not run away or make a move, the
horned toad will shoot blood from its glands in the corner of its eyes.
The blood can shoot as far out as two meters. |
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Food is a very important factor of the
horned toad’s life. It eats on prey such as insects, beetles,
grasshoppers, ants, and spiders. Ants are a staple food. They provide
formic acid, which is nutritious for the horned toad. Horned toads can
eat one hundred to two hundred a day. The horned toad waits until the
food is close enough. If I has to it will take a couple steps forward.
Then, it will snap out its tongue and capture the bug. |
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Mating usually occurs in late April and
stops in July. A couple of weeks later, they lay their eggs. Some horned
toads hide their eggs in the sand. Though, it takes a bit longer. Some
of them keep their eggs with them and hatch a little while after laying
them. Their eggs are white and flexible. The average size of an egg is
one and a half inches in diameter. The horned toad lays 10-30 eggs. The
average amount is fifteen. They grow until late summer. |
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When the egg hatches it brings out a
hatchling, which is what they call their young. They range anywhere
between 7/8-1 1/8 inches long from their snout to the vent. They have
the two horns on their head, but they have smooth skin. Immediately
after they hatch they bury themselves into the sand. As hatchlings they
get no parental care. So they start to hunt for food. |
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The hatchlings grow the most in the late
summer and the early spring when there is more to eat. They are known as
young adults after the second summer. They are fully grown after three
years. Then the life cycle goes on. |
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Horned toads are the most fearsome looking
lizards in North America. The Navajo, Hopi, Zuni, and the Piman Indians
held them in high regard. The Piman Indians believed that if they
worshiped it, it would cure everlasting sickness for them. Many people
like the Horned Toad |
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The information provided was from an
anonymous 5th Grade student from Peterson Elementary. |
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