Where Did All of the Oklahoma Horny Toads Go?

Growing up spending summers in rural Southwest Oklahoma, finding and catching horny toads wasn't a hard thing to do. The extremely sandy soils between Hollis and Gould were once the prime habitats for these creatures, but as the years have gone on, the odds of finding one of these horned lizards in the wild are increasingly rare.

It's a beloved species that is slowly and quietly becoming extinct, and nobody is exactly sure why.

Scientists have studied the disappearance of the Texas Horned Lizard for years, but while there are several solid theories as to why these critters are dwindling, they can't seem to find a common answer to work towards a solution.

Theory 1:

Some researchers believe the downfall of the quail is in large part to the introduction of deer in Oklahoma. Introduced in the 1930s, they quickly grew to the point of needing a cull by the 1950s. As you introduce prey, predators come too. Both varieties of America's native big cats, the cougar, and bobcat, can be found wandering the state chasing their meals.

So how does that transpire to the horned lizards? Well, they're a delicacy of coyotes and roadrunners... but as both of those predators are native to Oklahoma, what gives? The predator theory works as sort of a third party.

Back again in the 1930s, Amazonian fire ants were accidentally introduced to the US through shipping. Dirt was used to ballast ships on the gulf, so when they made port, they'd dump the dirt and head back out. They've spread throughout much of the country.

While horny toads' primary food is ants, they don't eat the fire ant invaders... and in a 1-2 punch, fire ants eat the harvester ants horned toads forage for as its main food source. It's a weirdly cyclical theory.

Theory 2:

As we grow further into what used to be the wild, we humans typically reign dominion over the lands we call our own. In an effort to keep ants at bay in all facets of daily life, pesticides stand as the accused cause of the horny toad extinction.

Much like introducing deer brought the big cat predators, if you kill the prey off, the predators will leave. All the same, it could just be that these great horned predators have just followed the hoards of ants back into the depths of unoccupied nature where they'll all be safe from mankind.

This theory actually tracks. Lots of people still run across horned lizards in uninhabited places like Palo Duro Canyon and the Wichita Mountains. Places where you would never be able to or want to spray pesticides.

Theory 3:

Climate change.

It's important to know, if you do run across a horny toad in the wild, it's totally kosher to admire them up close. They're pretty docile, so if you want to pick on up and let the kids feel the spikes, feel free.

That being said, put it back.

It's a lot bigger of a challenge to keep one alive as a pet due to their limited diet and incredibly specific needs, so there's really no use trying no matter how much the kids beg.