Horned Lizard Hatchling
This young Horned Lizard was brought to Tucson Wildlife Center after being removed from its natural habitat on Mt. Lemmon and kept in captivity for a few weeks. Situations like this often happen out of curiosity or a desire to help, especially when young animals are involved.
What many people do not realize is that keeping native wildlife—even temporarily—can be harmful and is illegal in Arizona without a permit. Wild animals have very specific needs that are difficult to meet in captivity, and even short periods outside their natural environment can affect their health and development.
Because this hatchling missed the natural start of brumation (a reptile version of hibernation) while in captivity, he cannot safely be returned to the wild this winter. Instead, he will remain at TWC through the colder months, where our team can carefully manage his temperature, nutrition, and health until he is strong enough for release under appropriate seasonal conditions.
If you find a wild animal and are unsure what to do, the best first steps are to leave it where it is and contact Tucson Wildlife Center for guidance. What may seem like a small intervention can have lasting consequences for an animal’s survival.
Fun facts: Horned Lizards are often called “horned toads,” but they are lizards (reptiles), not amphibians. Their squat bodies and short legs give them a toad-like appearance.
Baby Horned Lizards are fully independent from the moment they hatch—no parental care, just instinct and camouflage.
When severely threatened, some Horned Lizards can rupture tiny blood vessels around their eyes and shoot a fine stream of blood outward. This blood contains chemicals that taste bad and smell unpleasant, causing the predator to back off. If you would like to help patients like this tiny Horned Lizard, click this link to donate,
Another way you can contribute is to visit our “wish list” on Amazon or Chewy below:
We appreciate it, as will all the wild animals in our care!
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