Two zoos are making notable strides this year in the recovery of the Texas horned lizard, the rare and threatened lizard cherished as the official state reptile of Texas. Caldwell Zoo in Tyler and ...

Once rampant throughout the state, the Texas horned lizard—lovingly nicknamed the horny toad—has become a rare sight with its numbers drastically diminished in areas across Texas. It is currently ...

STAMFORD — There’s probably not much chance that if you grew up in Texas and are of a certain age that you didn’t catch and keep a horned lizard as a pet. Of course, you called it a horny toad because ...

WHO: Scientists at the San Antonio Zoo (and partners across the state and nation). WHAT: Fifty newly freed lizard hatchlings in Blanco County. WHY IT’S SO GREAT: The Texas horned lizard, ...

Everyone loves a “horny toad!” Finding one practically beneath your feet on a trail feels very special; and the way that they don’t (can’t!) zip away in a flash makes it easy to study them for as long ...

When my grandson Parker was 11 years old, he called me from a coastal island with exciting news. Problem was I took the call outside a restaurant with people jabbering and at a spot where I had a ...

Ariana is the assistant news editor of Chron. Her stories focus on space, wildlife, and any weird happenings in Texas. She previously covered community news and breaking news at the Austin ...

When you think of “gory” animals, creatures like great white sharks, tigers, and vampire bats might come to mind. But the most gruesome defense mechanism of any animal belongs to something much ...

When my grandson Parker was 11 years old, he called me from a coastal island with exciting news. Problem was I took the call outside a restaurant with people jabbering and at a spot where I had a ...