The clutch of Horned Lizards born last month at Tyler’s Caldwell Zoo have been released into their native, wild habitat. Also known as “horny toads,” the 18 hatchlings grew quickly and were released with tiny radio tags.
Yvonne Stainback, curator of Birds and Reptiles, along with Reptiles Keeper Dallas Goodwin, traveled across Texas to Mason Mountain Wildlife Management Area to join colleagues in the conservation effort. Caldwell Zoo, Dallas Zoo, Fort Worth Zoo and the Fossil Rim Wildlife Center contributed to the program championed by Texas Parks and Wildlife to save the Texas Horned Lizard.
The Horned Toad was once widespread across the Lone Star State and southern parts of the U.S. Due to habitat loss and invasive fire ant expansion, the once common horned lizards had become rare.
“When we heard about the program,” Stainback said, “We jumped at the chance to help. It takes a lot of work, some serious resources, and an immense amount of teamwork, but it’s definitely worth it.”
The Caldwell Zoo joined the program 3 years ago. In conjunction with the other institutions, this year marks the release of over 1,000 horned lizards back into the wild. The radio tags allow the lizards to be tracked, so zoos can monitor survival rates.
“This year we found one of our hatchlings from last year who had grown to a big, strong adult,” Goodwin said. “It proves that the program is working.”
When horned lizards hatch, they’re smaller than a dime, weighing only a few grams. In the wild, they must immediately fend for themselves, find their food, and avoid predators. Only a few will survive their first year. The breeding program increases their odds. Each egg is placed in an incubator, and when they’re hatched, the toads live in custom-built enclosures and eat hand-picked nutrition until they weigh enough to be released.
“We are so proud of all our staff members that contribute their hard work and talent to this field conservation, propagation and reintroduction effort,” said Caldwell Zoo President and CEO Steve Marshall.
(adapted from a Caldwell Zoo news release)
