The horned lizard (Phrynosoma cornutum) - more commonly known among Texans as the horny toad - was as common as ants and grasshoppers over most of Texas just decades ago. "Historically, they were all the way into East Texas, and abundant in Central Texas, but they have basically receded back to 50 miles west of the I-35 corridor. They are still common in the Panhandle and West Texas, and there are some in South Texas, but they are down to 50 percent or less of their historic range," said Nathan Rains, a wildlife diversity biologist with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Many culprits are suspected in the population collapse of the Texas state reptile, including loss of habitat, imported fire ants, pesticides and overcollection. "They are a diet specialist, an ant eater. So, no food, no habitat, no lizards," Rains said.
Source: Houston Chronicle, August 6, 2017
http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Grea…
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