The Texas Horned Lizard has a dorsolaterally flattened, toad-like body (Seymour and Royo 1996). Due to their unusual body shape body and short legs, they have been mistaken for an amphibian, hence the name "Texas Horned Toad."
There are spines located on the head, along the sides of the body and down the tail (Bockstanz 1998). These spines are modified epidermal scales. At the back of the head, there are two elongated spines that look like horns (Seymour and Royo 1996). There are also spines located along the dorsal surface of the lizard (Bockstanz 1998).
The ventral surface of the lizard is either gray or tan (Seymour and Royo 1996). The dorsal surface of the lizard is tan or gray with white and red or yellow highlights (Bockstanz 1998). There is a pattern of dark spots on the dorsal surface of the lizard, which correspond to the location of the dorsal spines (Bockstanz 1998).
The length of an average Texas Horned Lizard is 69mm snout-vent length (Munger 1986), however the upper boundary for males is 94mm and for females it is 114mm (Munger 1984).
The Texas Horned Lizard lives mainly in sandy areas where it often inhabits abandoned animal burrows (Bockstanz 1998). The habitat of the Texas Horned Lizard is usually in close proximity to the nests of harvester ants (Seymour 1996).
Biomes: Desert, grasslands, prairies, scrubland (Bartlett and Bartlett 1999)
Terrestrial Biomes: desert or dune ; savanna or grassland
The distribution of the Texas Horned Lizard ranges from Kansas to Northern Mexico and from Arizona to Louisiana (Bockstanz 1998).
The Texas Horned Lizard eats mainly Harvester ants, Pogonomyrmex spp., but will also eat grasshoppers, isopods, beetles and beetle larvae. In order to obtain enough energy, adult Texas Horned Lizards must forage from several colonies of Harvester ants. The Texas Horned Lizards' daily activities are planned around the times of highest ant activity. (Donaldson, et al 1994)
Phrynosoma cornutum is listed as a threatened species in Texas and Okalahoma. The numbers of the Texas Horned Lizard have declined for several reasons: the collection of the lizard as a pet, the invasion of the imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta, and loss of habitat (Donaldson, et al 1994). The change in land use has taken away homes from the lizards, and the use of pesticides on the harvester ants has depleted their main food source (Donaldson, et al 1994). Texas Parks and Wildlife along with other conservation groups are studying aspects of the Texas Horned Lizard as to protect it from any further negative human impact.
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern
The breeding season begins in late April and continues into July (Seymour 1996). These lizards are oviparous, and will lay their eggs in moist, sandy areas (Bartlett 1999). The eggs have a flexible, white shell, which measures 1-and1/2 inches in diameter (Seymour 1996). The incubation period for the eggs is 45-55 days (Bartlett 1999). The hatchlings are approximately 1.25 inches long, and are relatively smooth. However, the hatchlings do have the spines around their heads. There is no evidence of parental care for the young, so they must find food and defend themselves against predators immediately after hatching. The age of reproductive maturity is not known, however they are full-grown adults at three years of age (Seymour 1996).
The Texas horned lizard (Phrynosoma cornutum) is one of about 14 North American species of spikey-bodied reptiles called horned lizards, all belonging the genus Phrynosoma. It occurs in south-central regions of the US and northeastern Mexico, as well as several isolated introduced records and populations from Southern United States. Though some populations are stable, severe population declines have occurred in many areas of Texas and Oklahoma.[1][2] The Texas spiny lizard (Sceloporus olivaceus) may be confused for a Texas horned lizard due to its appearance and overlapping habitat.[3]
The horned lizard is popularly called a "horned toad", "horny toad", or "horned frog", but it is neither a toad nor a frog. The popular names come from the lizard's rounded body and blunt snout, which give it a decidedly batrachian appearance.[4] Phrynosoma literally means "toad-bodied" and cornutum means "horned".[5][6] The lizard's horns are extensions of its cranium and contain true bone.
The Texas horned lizard is the largest-bodied and most widely distributed of the roughly -1 species of horned lizards in the western United States and Mexico. The Texas horned lizard exhibits sexual dimorphism, with the females being larger with a snout-vent length of around 5 in (13 cm), whereas the males reach around 3.7 in (9.4 cm). "Phrynosoma cornutum" has characteristic horns spanning across its body with the two largest crowning its head, two more on its brows and jawline respectively, as well as lines of spikes spanning the lateral parts of torso and dorsal ridges of the back. Coloration varies depending on the environment in order to blend in with the color of the ground, ranging from a yellow or reddish-brown for deserts to a tannish brown for prairies. They also have dark lines that span from the eyes to the tip of the horns and a characteristic solid white line with a few black circular splotches on either side.[7]
The Texas horned lizard, like all members of the genus Phrynosoma, is endemic to North America where it occurs in south-central regions of the US and northeastern Mexico. Its natural distribution includes southeast Colorado, central and southern areas of Kansas, central and western areas of Oklahoma and Texas, southeast New Mexico, and extreme southeast Arizona. In Mexico it occurs in extreme eastern Sonora, most of Chihuahua, northeast Durango, northern Zacatecas and San Luis Potosí, and throughout most of Coahuila, Nuevo León, and Tamaulipas. It is known from barrier islands on the Gulf Coast of Texas and Tamaulipas at sea level, up to about 1,830 meters elevation. It is absent for higher elevations within its range, where other species of the genus may occur (e.g. Sierra Madre Oriental). Ecological associations include the southern Great Plains, Edwards Plateau, Tamaulipan mezquital, Chihuahua Desert, Llanos el Salado, and many peripheral and marginal areas of these ecoregions. The eastern distributional limit of the Texas horned lizard in the piney woods region of east Texas and western Louisiana, and the Ozark Mountain forests of western Arkansas, and Missouri likely represent introductions however, some have argued these records reflect natural relic populations.[8]
Many records of introductions from areas beyond its natural range have been reported as a result of released and escaped individuals from the pet trade in the early and mid-twentieth century, including: Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and Wyoming, although these do not represent established, breeding populations. However, a few stable populations, some known for over 50 years, occur in Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina, but these do not seem to be dispersing or spreading.[8][9][10][11][12][13][14]
Despite the fierce appearance, Texas horned lizards are extremely docile creatures. The Texas horned lizard is a sunbather, and requires bright sunlight to produce vitamin D. Deprived of sunlight, the animal is unable to produce vitamin D and can suffer from vitamin deficiency. So, horned lizards are most often found along the side of roads or other open, rocky areas, where they can lounge and take in sunlight. At night, the lizard buries itself in sand.[15] Although they prefer to move very little, horned lizards can move quite fast if they feel a predator is in the area, and dart into thick grass and foliage to escape. Horned lizards are also excellent diggers, and can quickly burrow underground to escape threats. Horned lizards are often found near harvester ant hills which are a major part of their diet. Their daily movement is averaged at 50 meters. They hibernate in burrows averaging in depth at 140 mm and often have them face south/southwest for maximum sun exposure.[16]
Although its coloration generally serves as camouflage against predation, when threatened by a predator, a horned lizard puffs up and appears very fat, which causes its body scales to protrude, making it difficult to swallow. The Texas horned lizard, along with at least three other species of the genus Phrynosoma, also has the ability to squirt an aimed stream of blood from the corners of the eyes and sometimes from its mouth at a distance up to 5 ft (1.5 m). They do this by restricting the blood flow leaving the head, thereby increasing blood pressure and rupturing tiny vessels around the eyelids. This not only confuses would-be predators, but also the blood is mixed with a chemical that is foul-tasting to canine predators such as wolves, coyotes, and domestic dogs. This novel behavior is generally observed to be very effective in defense; however, it appears to have no effect against predatory birds.[17][18][19][20][21] They can lose up to 6 percent of their body weight when performing this.[22]
About 70% of the Texas horned lizard's diet is made up of harvester ants, though they supplement these with termites, beetles, and grasshoppers. Texas horned lizards possess a blood plasma factor that neutralizes harvester ant venom and are known to produce copious amounts of mucus in the esophagus and pharynx which function to embed and incapacitate swallowed ants.[23] In recent years, the species has declined by about 30% of its range, though it may be making a comeback. The decline is usually blamed on overuse of pesticides and the spread of nonnative, highly aggressive and fiercely territorial red imported fire ants. Both eradicate harvester ant colonies, destroying the lizard's principal source of food. The Texas horned lizard is now a protected species, and, in Texas, it is illegal to take, possess, transport or sell them without a special permit.
A University of Texas publication notes that horned lizard populations continue to disappear throughout the southwest despite protective legislation. The Texas horned lizard has disappeared from almost half of its geographic range. Population declines are attributed to loss of habitat, human eradication of the ant populations upon which the lizards prey, displacement of native ant populations by invading fire ants (aided by synergistic effects of native ant eradication), and predation by domestic dogs and cats.[24]
In 2014, the Center for Biological Diversity in Tucson, Arizona petitioned the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation to have the Texas horned lizard put on the endangered species list due to the massive declines of its population in Oklahoma, where it was once plentiful. The Center said it may later seek protection for the animal on a Federal level; it also said that reptiles in general are dying off at up to 10,000 times their historic extinction rate, greatly due to human influences.[25]
In Texas, the creature has been declared threatened and a breeding and reintroduction program has been started by the Fort Worth Zoo. Hatchlings are bred and released in targeted areas in the hope that with a large number of animals, enough will survive to grow the population in the wild. Typically in such reptile reintroduction programs, fewer than one percent of a female's offspring will survive in the wild to adulthood.[2]
Horned lizards are studied by researchers at Texas Christian University, the nearby Fort Worth Zoo, and Dallas Zoo[26] with raw data and fieldwork done by state employees. Since 2010, the Dallas Zoo has been conducting a mark-and-recapture study on Texas horned lizards[27] on the Rolling Plains Quail Research Ranch, a 4,700-acre preserve located in Fisher County, Texas. Dallas Zoo researchers capture animals, tag them, collect data, and release them.[28] The project's goals are aimed at shedding light on the life history, population density, and determining ecological conditions best suited for this threatened species. Further research toward their preservation is funded by sale of horned lizard "Keep Texas Wild" license plates.[29]
In addition, the Dallas Zoo and Houston Zoo are working to establish a captive colony[30] of animals with several key reproductive successes taking place in 2015.
Some Native American people regard horned lizards as sacred. The animal is a common motif in Native American art in the Southwestern United States and Mexico.[5]
The Texas horned lizard is the state reptile of Texas[31] and, as the "horned frog", is the mascot of Texas Christian University[32] and can be seen in the university's seal.
The Texas horned lizard (Phrynosoma cornutum) is one of about 14 North American species of spikey-bodied reptiles called horned lizards, all belonging the genus Phrynosoma. It occurs in south-central regions of the US and northeastern Mexico, as well as several isolated introduced records and populations from Southern United States. Though some populations are stable, severe population declines have occurred in many areas of Texas and Oklahoma. The Texas spiny lizard (Sceloporus olivaceus) may be confused for a Texas horned lizard due to its appearance and overlapping habitat.
La lagartija cornuda texana, también conocida como lagarto cornudo, camaleón o camaleón texano (Phrynosoma cornutum) pertenece a la familia Phrynosomatidae.[3]
Posee cuerpo aplanado con corona de escamas en forma de espinas en la cabeza (las dos centrales son las más largas) y doble hilera de espinas a cada lado del abdomen. Generalmente es color amarillo, rojizo, grisáceo o naranja, con matiz café, en ocasiones es gris. Presenta manchas dorsales oscuras y conspicuas. Asimismo, un par de espinas occipitales en la cabeza bien desarrolladas y agudas, tres pares de temporales situadas en o por encima del nivel del ojo, y una interoccipital solitaria y pequeña. El macho adulto contiene 294 huesos sin incluir sus espinas que usa como mecanismo de defensa; come grillos. Se conoce como "llora sangre" porque su método de defensa más sorprendente es lanzar sangre por las comisuras de los ojos, hasta un metro de distancia. Mide de 69 mm a 114 mm de longitud hocico cloaca.[3]
Habita en México y en Estados Unidos,[4] del centro de Kansas hacia el suroeste a través de Texas, al noroeste de Luisiana y de la frontera entre Misuri y Oklahoma hacia el oeste y sureste de Arizona, continuando hacia el sur en México a través de la Sierra Madre Occidental, al este de Durango, y al este atravesando Zacatecas y San Luis Potosí hasta la frontera entre Tamaulipas y Veracruz. Habita áreas desérticas abiertas o secas; de sustrato suelto arenoso, rocoso o arcilloso; donde dominan pastizales, mezquites o cactáceas y cobertura vegetal esparcida. Prefiere clima semiárido, árido y muy árido; también cálido, semicálido y templado. Altitudinalmente se le encuentra entre 0-2,100 msnm. Su población es estable.
La UICN2019-1 considera a la especie como de preocupación menor. Sus poblaciones se enfrentan a la destrucción y fragmentación de su hábitat por actividades agropecuarias, desarrollo urbano, incendios, deforestación y otras; también al uso de pesticidas para combatir hormigas. La especie lleva tiempo siendo objeto de tráfico en calidad de mascota: como se alimenta casi exclusivamente de hormigas grandes y es habitual que su dueño lo ignore o no las tenga a su alcance, muchos ejemplares mueren de inanición a los pocos meses.[3]
La lagartija cornuda texana, también conocida como lagarto cornudo, camaleón o camaleón texano (Phrynosoma cornutum) pertenece a la familia Phrynosomatidae.
Phrynosoma cornutum Phrynosoma generoko animalia da. Narrastien barruko Phrynosomatidae familian sailkatuta dago.
Phrynosoma cornutum Phrynosoma generoko animalia da. Narrastien barruko Phrynosomatidae familian sailkatuta dago.
Phrynosoma cornutum est une espèce de sauriens de la famille des Phrynosomatidae[1].
Cette espèce se rencontre[1] :
Elle a été introduite en Floride aux États-Unis.
Le Crapaud cornu[2], aussi appelé du nom indigène de Tapaya n'a du crapaud que le nom. C'est une espèce de lézard qui ressemble un peu à l'iguane ; il a un corps aplati et couvert d'épines et vit avec d'autres espèces semblables dans les régions méridionales d'Amérique du Nord. On le trouve dans les déserts pierreux où il se nourrit de petits insectes et spécialement de fourmis. Il est extrêmement rapide et agile lorsqu'il se cache dans le sable.
Ce lézard, tout comme au moins trois autres espèces, peut projeter des jets de sang (autohémorrhée) à partir du coin de ses yeux[2], et parfois par la bouche, jusqu'à 1,5 m de distance. Ceci déroute non seulement les prédateurs potentiels, mais de plus le sang est mélangé à un produit chimique au goût désagréable pour les prédateurs canins tels que des loups, des coyotes, et des chiens domestiques.
Phrynosoma cornutum est une espèce de sauriens de la famille des Phrynosomatidae.
La lucertola cornuta del Texas (Phrynosoma cornutum), nota anche come frinosoma cornuto o rospo corneo, è un rettile appartenente all'ordine degli Squamati e alla famiglia dei Frinosomatidi. È diffuso principalmente in Texas (da cui il nome), in Colorado, in Kansas, in Messico settentrionale e in Arizona. Esistono anche popolazioni isolate in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia e Florida settentrionale.
Per difendersi questo curioso animale usa il gonfiamento polmonare, aspirando aria e gonfiandosi fa in modo che le spine che ha sul corpo si rizzino in modo che il predatore, spesso il Coyote, non possa ingoiarla. Un altro modo di difesa e quello di spruzzare dalle palpebre uno schizzo di sangue in modo molto preciso da colpire il suo predatore sul muso o nell'occhio; per gli altri animali il sangue della suddetta lucertola ha un sapore e odore fastidioso tanto da far scappare il predatore.
La lucertola cornuta del Texas (Phrynosoma cornutum), nota anche come frinosoma cornuto o rospo corneo, è un rettile appartenente all'ordine degli Squamati e alla famiglia dei Frinosomatidi. È diffuso principalmente in Texas (da cui il nome), in Colorado, in Kansas, in Messico settentrionale e in Arizona. Esistono anche popolazioni isolate in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia e Florida settentrionale.
Per difendersi questo curioso animale usa il gonfiamento polmonare, aspirando aria e gonfiandosi fa in modo che le spine che ha sul corpo si rizzino in modo che il predatore, spesso il Coyote, non possa ingoiarla. Un altro modo di difesa e quello di spruzzare dalle palpebre uno schizzo di sangue in modo molto preciso da colpire il suo predatore sul muso o nell'occhio; per gli altri animali il sangue della suddetta lucertola ha un sapore e odore fastidioso tanto da far scappare il predatore.
Multimedia w Wikimedia Commons Frynosoma rogata (Phrynosoma cornutum) – jaszczurka z rodziny Phrynosomatidae[2], dawniej uważanej za podrodzinę legwanów (i wciąż uznawanej za taką przez część naukowców[3]).
Tereny Ameryki Północnej, od stanów Kolorado i Kansas na północy do północnego Meksyku na południu i od południowo-wschodniej Arizony na zachodzie do zachodniej części Missouri, Arkansas i Luizjany na wschodzie; introdukowane, izolowane populacje występują też w Karolinie Północnej i na Florydzie.
Długość ciała 12-13 cm (w tym ogon 4 cm). Ciało bardzo silnie spłaszczone i szerokie. Zwężenie szyi niewidoczne, ogon spłaszczony i bardzo krótki. Na głowie dwa duże wyrostki, przypominające rogi. Wzdłuż boków tułowia i ogona biegnie pojedynczy rząd dużych, stożkowatych łusek, zaś cały grzbiet jest pokryty mniejszymi kolcami.[4]
Ubarwienie ciała szarobrązowe. Wzdłuż kręgosłupa biegnie żółta linia, zaś w poprzek ciała biegnie kilka, również żółtych, poprzecznych, falistych linii[4].
Występuje na terenach górzystych i suchych, piaszczysto-kamienistych[4]. Prowadzi dzienny tryb życia. Porusza się wyjątkowo powoli i ociężale[4].
Zdenerwowana frynosoma może wystrzelić strumyk krwi z oczu, by odstraszyć drapieżniki. W takiej sytuacji przez pewien czas nie widzi w związku z zalaniem oczu krwią[4].
Ok. 70% jej diety stanowią mrówki z rodzaju Pogonomyrmex, uzupełnia dietę innymi drobnymi stawonogami.
Frynosoma rogata (Phrynosoma cornutum) – jaszczurka z rodziny Phrynosomatidae, dawniej uważanej za podrodzinę legwanów (i wciąż uznawanej za taką przez część naukowców).
Phrynosoma cornutum là một loài thằn lằn trong họ Phrynosomatidae. Loài này được Harlan mô tả khoa học đầu tiên năm 1824.[2]
Bài viết liên quan đến bộ bò sát có vảy này vẫn còn sơ khai. Bạn có thể giúp Wikipedia bằng cách mở rộng nội dung để bài được hoàn chỉnh hơn. Phrynosoma cornutum là một loài thằn lằn trong họ Phrynosomatidae. Loài này được Harlan mô tả khoa học đầu tiên năm 1824.
텍사스뿔도마뱀(Texas horned lizard)은 북아메리카에 서식하는 뿔도마뱀 중 한 종이다. 텍사스뿔도마뱀은 콜로라도와 캔자스에서 멕시코 북부(소노라 사막)까지, 애리조나 남동부에서 텍사스까지 이른다.[1] 또한, 캐롤라이나스, 조지아, 그리고 북부 플로리다에서 독립적으로 서식하는 개체들도 발견되었다.[2] 텍사스뿔도마뱀은 루이지애나[3]와 아칸소에도 서식할 수 있다.[4]
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