How do you feed a Toad?

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The short-horned lizard is often referred to as a "horned toad" or

"horny toad" because its squat, flattened shape and short, blunt

snout give it a toad-ish look. There are over a dozen recognized

species found in the deserts and semi-arid environments of North

and Central America, from southern Canada to Guatemala.

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Species are distinguishable by the formidable crown of horns

adorning their head and the numerous spines across their back.

Their coloring can be yellowish, gray, or reddish-brown depending

on the environment they inhabit, and, combined with their shape,

affords them considerable camouflage on the surface. They feed

primarily on ants, waiting for one to unsuspectingly crawl by

before snapping it in and swallowing it whole. They are also known

to eat grasshoppers, beetles, and Spiders.

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Despite their spiky features, short-horned lizards are preyed upon

by a number of creatures, including hawks, roadrunners, snakes,

lizards, dogs, wolves, and coyotes. Consequently, beyond their

natural camouflage, they have adapted a pair of remarkable talents.

In order to ward off hungry predators, short-horned lizards are

capable of inflating their bodies up to twice their size,

resembling a spiny balloon. And if this proves insufficient, some

species employ one of the animal kingdom's most bizarre defensive

mechanisms: They shoot blood from their eyes.

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The ominous squirting blood emanates from ducts in the corners of

their eyes and can travel a distance of up to three feet (one

meter). It's meant to confuse would-be predators, but also contains

a chemical that is noxious to dogs, wolves, and coyotes.

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Over recent decades short-horn lizard populations have been in

decline throughout their range. Destruction of their native

habitat, efforts to eradicate ants-their staple food-and the pet

trade have all contributed to this.