Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My younger brother caught a juvenile honry toad today, out in our yard, and wants to keep it. Convincing him otherwise is hard, but we are both concerned about its health, especially after reading more about them.

We live in the mountains east of Albuquerque, at 6900', and so this is probably a Greater Short-horned Lizard (Phrynosoma hernandesi). We have ants in our yard, but until we know if they are harvester ants, we are not sure about feeding them to the lizard.

I am concerned for the little guy's health, so I'd like to know all you folks can tell me about keeping this species of HL alive and well! Thank you in advance!

I am in the same boat, my 6 year old having found a horned toad (approx. 5 inches long) on a mountain this morning just outside Las Vegas, NM. We plan to keep it overnight and will release it tomorrow (where we found it) if we can't manage care and feeding. Let me know what you find out, please.

In my honest opinion, after 5 years of keeping these lizards; the animals should absolutely be let go where there were found. These lizards are not "easy", I do not recommend them for the inexperienced, and they are CERTAINLY not a suitable pet for a child. They simply have too many care requirements and captive considerations, not to mention their more strict dietary requirements in general. This may be more relaxed if the species is a hernadesi, but do not let that fool you. That species of lizard is probably one of the harder in the way of Horned Lizards to keep alive.

These lizards are not the kind of reptile to get started on and learn as you go. You will surely kill it, and there are far too many losses in their wild populations to justify keeping it just because your children want to. I'm sorry but an informed adult opinion is what should overrule here.

Being that you two people live in a state where Horned Lizards are native, I suggest you learn quite a bit more first. Then if you still wish to have one you may be more prepared, and the lizard will have a much better chance of surviving. Please don't experiment without sufficient knowledge of these animals.
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"A man that should call everything by it's right name, would hardly pass the streets without being knocked down as a common enemy." The Complete Works of George Savile, First Marquess of Halifax 1912,246

That's what I thought. I'll probably have to get my dad involved too to get the lizard freed, and it will be a huge fight (my bro is 17, not a little child, but his maturity level certainly is below what it should be). I don't think he could keep it alive even if he DID try. He is not good with pets. When he had turtles he had to be threatened and nagged to take care of them at times, and when we had rats I had to take care of them.

I'm glad I have your opinion to help convince my father that the lizard should be put back, thank you.

I'm glad that my words could be of service. You are welcome.
Let me know how it goes. Worst case scenario, we could at least offer some information. Though I'm even more convinced that the lizard would have no chance, given the background information you provided.

And just FYI, I got squirted with blood very recently after picking one up. It doesn't happen often though to people.
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"A man that should call everything by it's right name, would hardly pass the streets without being knocked down as a common enemy." The Complete Works of George Savile, First Marquess of Halifax 1912,246

I read through the other threads and came to the same conclusion. After six years on the Carolina coast this boy was completely enthralled at the sight of a horned lizard. It was enough though, to pick the creature up, inspect it, talk to it, research its needs, and then to make his own decision to return it to the wild. His only disappointment was that the creature never "spit blood from its eyes". Anyone know the origin of that legend?
Link

That is no legend. Many species squirt blood when they are frightened. It is somewhat rare but happens as this photo shows.

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Phrynosoma.Com

It is not a legend. It is a defense posture mainly focused against canines. It is very effective. Many times humans are really scared by this behavior and will quickly release the horned lizard. There are stories in Mexican legend that these are the tears of sorrow.

Lester G. Milroy III
Conservation Biologist