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Official Reptile of Texas

Texas likes to bestow 'official' status on things that are peculiar or somehow symbolic to our state. The Texas horned lizard is the official reptile of the state of Texas. Unfortunately, its population has declined considerably over the past 50 years or so, likely because of the spread of the imported fire ant. These lizards feed primarily on a species of harvester ant, which has been largely overcome by the imported ant. Habitat loss and degradation have also contributed to its decline.

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Uploaded on January 7, 2019
Taken on May 21, 2018