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USA

Texas State Reptile:

picture of Texas horned lizard - Texas state reptile
Texas horned lizard photo from: Texas Parks & Wildlife* (used by permission)

Texas Horned Lizard

Texas designated the Texas horned lizard (Phrynosoma cornutum), or "Horny Toad" as the official state reptile in 1993. "Horny toads" have an intimidating appearance but a docile and gentle nature. When a horned lizard feels threatened, it flattens and freezes in place, trying to blend with the ground. Texas now lists this unique animal as threatened.

photo of horned lizard
Horned Lizard - public domain image from Free Public Domain Photo Database (PD Photo.org): Horny Lizard

Ancient American Indians of the Southwest (the Anasazi and the Mimbres) depicted horned lizards on pottery and in petroglyphs. It was a symbol of health and happiness to Native Americans.

In recent times, the horned lizards' habitat has shrunk, imported fire ants have supplanted their food supply, and their numbers have declined drastically. The horny toad is no longer seen in many regions where it was once common. Two of the three native Texas species are now listed as threatened (Texas horned lizard and the mountain short-horned lizard).

photo of "horned toad" (horned lizard)
"Horned Toad" - public domain photo from Best Links.com: short-horned lizard: (a National Park Service image)

 

Source:
Horned Lizard by Jane Manaster, Texas Tech U Press
Endangered and Threatened Species: TX Parks and Wildlife
Links:
Photo of flattened lizard: National Park Service
Texas Horned Lizard: Who Zoo
Texas Horned Lizard Watch: Texas Parks & Wildlife
Threatened & Endangered Reptiles & Amphibians: TXPW
Horned Lizards: Desert USA
Texas Horned Lizard: Wikipedia Free Encyclopedia
Horned Lizard Conservation Society
State Reptiles & Amphibians - 50 States List
* Photo of Texas Horned Lizard was copied on 09/19/04 from Texas Parks & Wildlife Department's Web Site: www.tpwd.state.tx.us. Neither this Web Site, nor the information presented on this Web Site is endorsed by the State of Texas or Texas Parks & Wildlife Department.
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Texas Symbols:

air force - tie
artist - bird
bread - cooking  
dinosaur - dog  
dish - snack
fabric - tartan
folk dance
fish - insect
flag - pledge
flower - plant
fruit - nut
gem - stone
hall of fame
instrument
 

mammal 1-2-3  
metal - molecule
name - nickname
pastry 1 2
pepper 1-2
plays - railroad
reptile - shell
seal - motto
ship - tall ship
shrub 1-2
song 1-2
sport - vehicle
tree -grass -soil
vegetable


State Symbols | National Symbols