PREVIEW

Staff at the San Antonio and Miami Zoos are delighted to welcome some tiny new endangered and spiky residents - a new batch of Texas horned lizard hatchlings.

San Antonio announced the hatching of 71 Texas horned lizards, with an additional seven eggs still incubating. They will eventually be released into the wild to bolster the rare species’ population.

The zoo’s newly established satellite colony at Zoo Miami has celebrated its inaugural successful breeding season, with eight hatchlings and six more eagerly anticipated.

This milestone forms part of an ambitious collaboration that began in 2020 when San Antonio Zoo partnered with Zoo Miami to create the satellite colony. This innovative strategy aims to secure a brighter future for the Texas horned lizard by reducing risks and boosting egg production.

The team at Zoo Miami has been nurturing this charismatic species, with the hatchlings set to travel to San Antonio Zoo before being released into restored habitats in Texas.

“Conservation does not happen without collaboration,” said Ryan Zach, Zoo Miami Animal Care Manager. “The opportunity to release animals back into the wild is a dream for most zookeepers, and to do it with such an iconic species while working side by side with the dedicated team at San Antonio Zoo, is a perfect example of that dream coming true for our team at Zoo Miami.”

Affectionately known as the "horny toad," the Texas horned lizard (Phrynosoma cornutum) once thrived across much of Texas but has suffered significant declines due to habitat loss and invasive species. In response, San Antonio Zoo launched the Texas Horned Lizard Reintroduction Project in 2017.

Since then, the unwavering efforts of the zoo’s Centre for Conservation & Research (CCR) have led to the successful release of 208 Texas horned lizards into the wild.

"We're honoured to be part of this crucial project," said Dr Andy Gluesenkamp, Director of Conservation at CCR. "Landowners and resource managers are essential partners in conserving the Texas horned lizard, a keystone species. Our success relies on public support, and we're proud of our achievements so far."

Utilising Geographic Information System data, genetic research, and horned lizard ecology, the team is working to populate suitable habitats with robust, zoo-hatched individuals. A partnership with Chiron K9’s Texas Horned Lizard Detection Canine Network has also played a pivotal role, with specially trained dogs helping to ensure effective tracking and monitoring post-release. Recent site visits have revealed successful breeding and expansion, with multiple sightings of lizards from previous releases and their offspring.

"The success of the Texas Horned Lizard Reintroduction Project is a true testament to the power of collaborative conservation efforts," said Tim Morrow, President & CEO of San Antonio Zoo. "We are incredibly proud of the dedication shown by our team and partners at Zoo Miami. Together, we are making a significant impact on the future of this beloved species, and it's inspiring to see such positive results."