1Ernesto
FollowShot Out and About - Walking Pets In The Park
He is walking his pet lizard and so is she but hers is a horned lizard which is popularly called a "horned toad", "horny toad", or "horned frog", but it is neit...
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He is walking his pet lizard and so is she but hers is a horned lizard which is popularly called a "horned toad", "horny toad", or "horned frog", but it is neither a toad nor a frog. Despite its fierce appearance, Texas horned lizards are extremely docile creatures. Since they have very few natural predators, they are not at all aggressive, and will never bite. Captured horned lizards will lie completely limp in a human's hand or pocket, playing dead, so they made excellent pets before they were threatened. Defensive behavior: Although its coloration generally serves as camouflage against predation, when threatened by a predator, a horned lizard will puff up and become 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 for a distance of up to 5 ft (1.5 m). 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.
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Top Choice
Outstanding Creativity
Superb Composition
All Star
Jaw Dropping
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Magnificent Capture
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valeriemurchie-stolpe
June 03, 2014
Not a usual sight while walking around in public. Fun and different.
1Ernesto
June 03, 2014
The lizards showed up like magic when I got home to look at what I had captured - it was a most pleasant surpise as on the shot I did not see them.
staceestracnerseverino
June 05, 2014
I LOVE THIS :0) I GREW UP PART OF MY CHILDHOOD IN SOUTHERN NEVADA (LAS VEGAS) AND ABSOLUTELY ADORED CATCHING THE HORNY TOADS. THEY ARE JUST ABOUT GONE WITH ALL THE NEW HUMAN POPULATION OUT THERE NOW. IT IS SAD NOT TO SEE THEM ANYMORE. I'M GLAD TO KNOW THEY ARE STILL THRIVING IN YOU AREA. THANKS FOR THE SHARE
1Ernesto
June 07, 2014
Horny toads are doing rather well here and we can credit that to having so much land holdings in National Forest status. Glad this photo brought back some fond childhood memories for you : ~))
Akire
November 24, 2014
Great capture! I have not seen any Horny Toads in years. The kids used to play with them here in Texas. vt
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