Have you heard the news? Fossil Rim has taken another historic step forward in our mission to conserve native Texas species and wildlife. Even though our newest additions can fit in the palm of your hand, there is no denying their Texas-sized reputation. We’re excited to be a part of an effort to breed and release the iconic Texas horned lizard back into its natural habitat.
A State Icon
Texas horned lizards can be found throughout the majority of the state— that is, if you can spot them. At around 5 inches when fully grown, these small reptiles’ dusty colored features and spiky body blend in seamlessly with the scrubland and sandy landscapes it calls home. Although officially documented since the mid-1800s, indigenous groups in and around Texas have been creating art featuring the lizard for centuries. Their one-time abundance cemented the species as an icon in Texas, from Texas Christian University’s adoption of the so-called “horned-frog” as their mascot in the late 20th century, to its induction as the state reptile in 1993.
Texan’s love for these little lizards has never been in doubt, which made their sharp decline in the last several decades all the more dismaying. Habitat loss, as well as the introduction of pesticides and the invasive red imported fire ant have taken a toll on Texas horned lizard populations. That’s where several zoos and state organizations, now including Fossil Rim Wildlife Center, have stepped in to help restore the iconic species.
A New Initiative
Starting in mid-2024, in collaboration with the Texas Fish and Wildlife Department, Fossil Rim acquired six Texas horned lizards - the first participants in a brand new conservation program. These lizards, three male and three female, were hand collected by Animal Care staff from the Matador Wildlife Management Area near Paducah, Texas.
According to Michael Becker, our new horned lizard specialist,
“We would just see them on the side of the road, stop and then just try and grab them. Sometimes you have to army crawl through a bush; they're kind of fast.”
Currently, our Texas horned lizards are adjusting to their new surroundings while our team hones their lizard-care skills. Eventually, the plan is to breed the lizards and raise new individuals for release back into the wild.
The Purpose of the Mission
The big question here is, “if there are still some living in the wild, why don’t we just leave them alone?” For many vulnerable and endangered species, their numbers have either already passed or are approaching a threshold after which there is no way for them to sustainably survive on their own. While a few more generations could exist, as populations shrink and inbreeding occurs, genetics becomes just as big of a factor in their decline as the other problems they face.
To try and prevent this, conservationists may work with captive members of a species with the end goal of boosting their population. For our new lizards, we provide ample resources like food and water, and eventually, consistent breeding partners. This not only speeds up the process of producing more lizards, but greatly increases the chances that those new lizards will survive to adulthood.
Today and Tomorrow
Michael Becker begins his work each day with a simple visual check. Each of the six lizards are no bigger than a cellphone, and are just as good at camouflaging in their enclosures as they are in the wild. Once they’re confirmed alive and well, it’s time for a misting, a water change, and most importantly, breakfast. Texas horned lizards eat almost exclusively harvester ants. Luckily for us, harvester ants are abundant at Fossil Rim. We collect some of these ants right in our own backyard before handing them over to our lizards. “Some” is a bit of an understatement, as according to Becker, our individuals can each eat between 60 to 130 ants a day. The amount they eat depends on their size, and females tend to eat more if they have or are going to lay eggs. The number of ants consumed by each lizard is monitored and documented, along with details about their daily behaviors. While this documentation may seem tedious, it’s important for our caregivers to become familiar with the details of each lizard’s behavior. These details can give us insight into whether or not an individual is healthy without having to perform an exam. When breeding begins, changes in behavior can give us clues that help guide the process, and tell us if it was successful or not. The more we refine our care today, the more hope there is for a strong population of releasable lizards in the future!
We’ve got big plans for these little lizards going forward, so keep an eye out for updates as we continue to grow our program.
