#Horned Toads | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

is-the-snake-video-cute · 2 years

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What do you know about horned toads, an animal with a lie right there in the name?

Horned toads! They're such little weirdos!

Let's talk about their lies first. They're true lizards, not related to toads at all, but they really do look superficially similar, with a very bowlegged stance, flat bodies, and short heads. They look kinda like a spiky, very angry toad.

Those horns on their heads, unusually for lizards, are actually true horns and not just modified scales! That means they have a bony core. They use those horns for self-defense, and will not be shy about poking you with them if you pick them up.

The most widespread horned toad population in the US is the Texas horned lizard, and they're enduring symbols of desert wildlife. I've gone herping in the Chihuahuan desert before, and it wouldn't be the same without them!

They used to be very popular in the pet trade - when I was a kid, you used to be able to find them in most any pet shop. It's good that their popularity as pets has died down a lot, though. They don't make great pets - they're pretty chill, but they don't eat well in captivity (and do best on an ant-based diet) and don't tend to thrive.

Here's the weirdest and coolest thing about them. One of the primary defensive strategies (of most horned toads in the genus) is to shoot a stream of blood out of their eyes at predators. To do this, they intentionally restrict the blood flow to their heads, causing blood vessels around their eyelids to pop, and then they use special muscles in the corners of their eyes to shoot it at their enemies. It's a very effective strategy because that's confusing as hell and also because the blood mixes with secretions that taste horrible to canines and felines, which are the main groups trying to eat them.

I was able to find a gif from a NatGeo documentary of the blood-shooting thing being weaponized against a coyote. It's beneath the cut because it's kinda gross.

#not a rating #horned toads #blood #?? not sure how to tag the weaponized blood thing #let me know if i need to tag it any sort of way!

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antiqueanimals · 2 years

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About Reptiles: A Guide for Children, written by Cathryn Sill and illustrated by John Sill, 1999.

#reptiles #lizards #horned toads #texas horned toads #John Sill

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evilhorse · 1 year

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Observation correct

#more fun comics #dr fate #kent nelson #cowboy #devil #costumes #bullet proof #horned toads #correct #gardner fox #howard sherman #dc comics #comics #40s comics #golden age comics

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ourrobotculture · 1 month

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Horned Toads

Horned toads, which are actually lizards and not toads, belong to the genus Phrynosoma. They are native to North and Central America and are known for their distinctive body shape and the horn-like spines on their heads. Here are some interesting facts about them:

Misnomer: Despite their name, horned toads are not related to toads. Their name comes from their stout shape, which resembles that of a toad.

Spines and Horns: The “horns” on their head are true horns with a bony core, while the other spiny projections on their body are modified scales.

Camouflage: Their primary defense mechanism is their ability to blend into their surroundings by remaining motionless and using their natural camouflage.

Defense Mechanisms: When threatened, they can puff up their bodies to extend their spines, making them harder to swallow. Some species can even squirt blood from the corners of their eyes as a defense.

They typically inhabit arid and semi-arid ecosystems, particularly deserts, and have adaptations to conserve water, like their modified scales1. With over 22 different species, horned toads display a variety of behaviors and adaptations.

#ai #ai artwork #ai art #ai story #horned toads #generated by artificial intelligence

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gratefulfrog · 1 year

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#TCU #Horned Frogs #Horned Toads #funky town #super frog #fort worth #sonny dykes

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herpsandbirds · 3 months

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Strange Sexy Time in French Guiana

(LEFT) A male Cayenne Slender-legged Tree Frog (Osteocephalus leprieurii) attempts to mate with a male Surinam Golden-eyed Tree Frog (Trachycephalus coriaceus), both in the family Hylidae...

(RIGHT) Right next to male and female Surinam Horned Frogs (Ceratophrys cornuta) mating, family Ceratophryidae

photograph by Jungle Merlin

#do you swing?#frog #amphibian #toad #tree frog #horned frog #osteocephalus #trachycephalus #ceratophrys #hylidae #ceratophryidae #herpetology #south america #animals #nature

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pizzpizzapizzo · 9 months

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second round of zoo AU

Vigilante, Pepperman, Fake Peppino and Snick concepts suggested by @idkhamburger19283, Noisette and Mr Stick suggested by @zedortoo! Huge thanks for the help!! and sorry if i misinterpreted anything

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textless · 1 year

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Baby horned toads in the yard. Cochise County, Arizona, October 2022.

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bjekkergauken · 7 months

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Lion king: north africa DLC

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stonerundump · 7 months

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inktober day 8: toad

#art #my art #ink #inktober #inktober day 8 #inktober 2023 #toad #french horn #He's so flipping cute wow

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toad-in-a-trenchcoat · 9 months

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Idea I had for a form of Netherworld fashion-

Halos: more or less strands of light a ghost puts on themselves, either circling some part of their form or wound about into patterns. Often golden or cream in color but come in various shades

#May or may not alter name #Fuschia wore these on her horns in my first drawing of her #pmatga #pacman and the ghostly adventures #toad’s ghosts #Ghosts #the netherworld #concept art #worldbuilding

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is-the-snake-video-cute · 2 years

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Literally why do horned toads do that. I was expecting just a little blood but that was a LOT that can't be good for them

Well. It is a little dramatic but in their defense if I was about to eat something and it started shooting that much blood at me, I would not eat it

#not a rating #horned toads #blood

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toads-treasures · 28 days

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