Where have all the Horned Lizards Gone?
The Texas horned lizard remains common in parts of western Oklahoma, but has shown a dramatic decline in both range and population size in the eastern and central parts of the state since the 1960s. Several possible reasons have been proposed for the decline, but little evidence exists to determine the true causes. The horned lizard’s decline is most likely the result of a combination of factors with the importance of each factor varying from one part of the state to the next. Increased use of pesticides may have reduced the harvester ant population in some areas, thus reducing the horned lizard’s main food supply. In agricultural areas, ants are rarely considered pest species but may be killed by insecticides used against other insects. Also, herbicides used to eliminate weeds may affect harvester ant populations by reducing the abundance or quality of seeds on which the ants feed. In residential areas, ants often are poisoned by people fearing ant bites or wanting to keep them away f
The Texas horned lizard remains common in parts of western Oklahoma, but has shown a dramatic decline in both range and population size in the eastern and central parts of the state since the 1960s. Several possible reasons have been proposed for the decline, but little evidence exists to determine the true causes. The horned lizard’s decline is most likely the result of a combination of factors with the importance of each factor varying from one part of the state to the next. Increased use of pesticides may have reduced the harvester ant population in some areas, thus reducing the horned lizard’s main food supply. In agricultural areas, ants are rarely considered pest species but may be killed by insecticides used against other insects. Also, herbicides used to eliminate weeds may affect harvester ant populations by reducing the abundance or quality of seeds on which the ants feed. In residential areas, ants often are poisoned by people fearing ant bites or wanting to keep them away f
