The Toad & the Lizard
When is a toad not a toad? The answer is when it's a horned lizard! Despite being commonly referred to as a "horned toad," the horned lizard is actually a reptile, not an amphibian like a true toad. True toads spend the first part of their lives in the water, hatching from eggs and undergoing a tadpole stage, while the horned lizard lays eggs or produces live young that are capable of running around and taking care of themselves from birth. Although they differ in many ways, both the horned lizard and true toads share a similar diet of insects during their adult lives. However, while true toads also enjoy other foods like angleworms, the horned lizard seems to prefer snacking on ants. Watching a horned lizard catch ants is a sight to behold, as they never seem to miss a single one and pause only to lick their lips after each mouthful. So, while the horned lizard may be called a toad, it's important to remember that it's really a lizard with its own unique characteristics and behaviors. |