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06/03/2005 02:56:35 PM · #1 |
Actually it̢۪s not even a toad, but a horned lizard, commonly called a horny toad. These guys use to be abundant in Arizona and the entire southwest, but now sightings of them are quite rare. 7 years of hiking in Arizona and this was only the 3rd one I̢۪ve ever seen. They are really quick and skittish so I was shocked this guy stayed still and let me shoot him. He must have thought he was camouflaged a little better.
When threatened they release blood from their eyes, so you if you see one you might not want to pick it up. Also, they cannot live in captivity because they are very picky eaters, so don̢۪t think about making it a pet.
Week before a rattlesnake, last weekend this guy, what will I see this weekend?
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06/03/2005 02:59:05 PM · #2 |
| I have never seen a lizard anything like that, wierd. I hope you do well in the upcoming "reptiles of the southwestern US." challenge, I just feel bad for those poor Icelanders when that challenge comes. |
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06/03/2005 04:02:38 PM · #3 |
Originally posted by Pedxer:
I have never seen a lizard anything like that, wierd. I hope you do well in the upcoming "reptiles of the southwestern US." challenge, I just feel bad for those poor Icelanders when that challenge comes. |
that will not be a problem, we do import reptiles from the USA ;)
would love to get a ribbon for that challenge :) |
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06/03/2005 04:18:13 PM · #4 |
Very cool I like, must have been hard to get him to sit still long enough for a good shot.
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06/03/2005 04:43:20 PM · #5 |
Great capture and nice detail, Daryl. I have to get really close to get anything like that.
Yesterday I went up to Canyon Lake at sunrise to photograph the vultures sunning themselves in the early morning. This was the best shot I got:
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I took a lot of frames but I could never get close enough to get a good one. There were probably 30-50 of them hanging out up there. Tina would have a field day with "big bertha" and get some incredible shots. They like standing around in groups and holding their wings out wide to warm in the sun.
Then I encountered a 5-6 foot gopher snake in the road that I wanted to photograph:
I tried keeping him hearded onto the road but he wanted no part of me. He was angry and determined to leave and came strait at me and reared back and was striking at me before I could get the camera focused. It was a great opportunity for some strike poses but he was just too fast. Dang!
Message edited by author 2005-06-03 17:00:04.
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06/03/2005 05:31:43 PM · #6 |
Your horny toad is an excellent shot louddog.
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06/03/2005 05:43:25 PM · #7 |
You are correct Louddog. As children in the southwest (Texas and New Mexico) we saw these frequently and played with them. They are usually quite gentle but can be defensive. They were easy to catch in the open desert, moving not much faster than a person's brisk walk. The babies look just like the adults but without the well developed 'antlers', really cute when only about 1/2 inch long! Last one I saw was in my backyard several years ago. They are a protected species and still disappearing fast.
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06/03/2005 11:52:34 PM · #8 |
Mine from a few weeks ago. I almost stepped on him while hiking around Lynx Lake. The long time locals say there are more this year because of all the rains.
I tried to pick on up but when I touch him he made a noise and sceerrred me. :) |
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06/04/2005 12:03:49 AM · #9 |
| you are lucky- my dog cornered one and did you know that they shoot blood out from between their eyes? My white pup Skruffy came back covered in blood and it took us a while to figure out what had happened! |
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06/04/2005 12:07:20 AM · #10 |
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