Horned Toad
June 9, 2006
Horned toads can be found in the dry, sandy desert land of the Mesa, south of Pinedale. These toads, which look like lizards, complete with tails, blend in very well with the gray soil of the desert. The horned toad in these two photos were found along the Lander Cut-off of the Oregon Trail.
The Horned Toad was adopted as the Wyoming State reptile in 1993. It is distinctive with pointed, protruding "horns" above their eyes. It is actually a lizard, resembling a toad. They can range up to 5 inches in length, and eat mainly small insects, spiders and ants. In the fall, they hibernate by burying themselves in the sand, emerging again in the spring. Despite their fierce appearance, they are harmless.
Photos by Dawn Ballou, Pinedale Online!
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