mystery solved
Not much of a mystery as it turned out to be just who I thought was digging holes in the yard.
just a tiny baby hanging out in the garden, eating some ants and enjoying some sun. Must be a photogenic celebrity lizard as he waited around while I ran in the house to get my camera.
Here is todays biology lesson - The Texas Horned Lizard (actually quite interesting)
The Texas horned lizard, along with at least three other species, also has the ability to squirt an aimed stream of blood from the corners of the eyes for a distance of up to 5 feet. (how neat is that!!)
This not only confuses would-be predators (heck, who wouldn't be confused by that), the blood is mixed with a chemical that is foul-tasting to canidae predators such as wolves, coyotes and domestic dogs (note to self, must teach Ralph the dog about this). If it is sufficiently agitated it may release up to 1/3 of the blood in its body!
Horned lizards are unusual in that they are myrmecophagous - ant eaters - with blunt, noncuspid, peglike teeth for crushing prey.
Some Native American peoples regard the horned lizard as sacred.
Phrynosoma cornutum, the Texas horned lizard, is the Texas State Reptile.
We had a tan version in Mesa, Arizona where I grew up and we called them horny toads. They were harmless and I loved to pick them up; I never saw the blood squirting trick or I'm sure I would have been spooked. Thanks for the memory.
Posted by: Judy Wise | April 23, 2008 at 02:40 PM
ooh, he's a bonzer bloke!!! I LOVE lizards and frogs ...
Posted by: Toni Brown | April 23, 2008 at 05:43 PM
Sweet mary....the 'Chupe' followed you to the new place!
Posted by: Julie Prichard | April 23, 2008 at 06:10 PM
I love your horny toad pics. I used to catch them when I was a kid, and now I miss them as they are an endangered species... Mostly they only eat one type of insect (ants) and if the ants are gone ....
I am so glad you have one living with you.
crescent
Posted by: crescent rodgers | April 23, 2008 at 07:54 PM
Wow! Lucky you! Thanks for all that great info...love the last shot, the form and color, looks just like it was plucked from a petroglyph!
Posted by: stephanie | April 23, 2008 at 10:08 PM
Oh, I haven't seen one of those in our back youd in ages - not since I was a kid! I miss the little critters.
Posted by: Katy | April 24, 2008 at 12:24 PM
That was really interesting. Thanks for sharing. I wish we had a horned toad to eat the ants in our yard. He would have a feast.
Posted by: nelda | April 24, 2008 at 06:00 PM
thanks for the lesson on the lizard, fascinating!
Posted by: Dawn Gold | April 25, 2008 at 02:17 AM
hey.....we used to have those all over so. calif. when i was growing up (50's!!)..my brothers and i loved them, they are so tame and sweet-natured...we never could get one to shoot blood out of their eyes though...ratz!! hahahah! enjoy him, they make nice little yard pets!
Posted by: liz | April 25, 2008 at 11:54 AM
Hey, I learned something new today. Thanks for sharing that info!
Posted by: Nicole | April 29, 2008 at 08:24 AM
I had forgotten about the blood squirting reflex until now. I remember growing up, my mom always told me they could spray at you, but didn't realize it was their BLOOD! Wow! These little guys are so cool.
Posted by: Diane Cook | May 23, 2008 at 07:16 AM