The Horned Frogs are making their comeback. Not the purple and white variety found at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth. This breed is threatened by climate change in the Big 12 Conference. No, the actual horned frogs – horned toads, Texas lizards, or Phrynosoma cornutum. These little guys marked a milestone last month in a long effort to restore their decimated numbers.
On Aug. 11, a Facebook page managed by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department showed a photo of a tiny hatchling believed to be derived from horned lizards raised in captivity at the Fort Worth Zoo.
“To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that Texas Horned Lizards, reintroduced as juveniles raised in captivity, have successfully reproduced in the wild,” the site says.
Horned lizards have been threatened in Texas since the 1970s. Nathan Rains, wildlife biologist for Texas Parks and Wildlife, said the species “practically disappeared” from parts of the state where it was once “widespread and abundant.” The number has declined due to habitat loss and the displacement of native harvest ant populations by invading fire ants, Rains said. Harvest ants are the preferred food for horned lizards.
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Since 1993, when Texas recognized the lizard as an official state reptile, researchers have attempted to increase the population through programs that track animals or protect their habitat. Rains described a broad coalition that was formed to save the lizards. In 2008 Texas Christian University started a genetic research project. From 2011 to 2016, the Fort Worth Zoo conducted a pilot study to test lizard reintroduction opportunities. To date, more than 500 captive young animals, most from Fort Worth and Dallas zoos, have been released in Mason County’s Mason Mountain Wildlife Management Area.
Texas Parks and Wildlife spokesman Tom Harvey said horn lizards are one of 1,300 threatened species the department is working to protect. He said efforts to strengthen the black lizard population will continue, with the next release of pups planned for this month.
The horned lizard is not out of the forest yet. As biologists celebrate this milestone, they are warning that there is still much to be done.
“Biologists remain optimistic that continued research and restoration will ultimately result in self-sustaining wild populations,” said Rains.
As the national newspaper of Texas and one that has fought many battles with Fort Worth newspaperman Amon G. Carter, we’re not all TCU fans, but we do cheer for these horned frogs.
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