Texas horned lizard population declining

The Texas horned lizard population is declining in parts of central and east Texas, but staying strong in areas of West Texas, media outlets report. The Texas horned lizard population is declining in parts of central and east Texas, but staying strong in areas of West Texas, media outlets report. Photo: Courtesy Photo, Texas Parks And Wildlife Department Photo: Courtesy Photo, Texas Parks And Wildlife Department Image 1 of / 137 Caption Close Texas horned lizard population declining 1 / 137 Back to Gallery

AUSTIN -- An endangered lizard found primarily in Texas is on the decline but is still thriving in parts of the state, officials say.

The Texas horned lizard is keeping a steady presence in parts of West Texas, the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal reported, but is declining in Central and East Texas. Texas Parks and Wildlife has listed it as a threatened species.

The population drop can be attributed to urbanization in those areas, Russell Martin, a wildlife biologist for the Texas Parks and Wildlife, told the Avalanche-Journal.

"They've lost lots of habitat," Martin said.

The lizards typically reside in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas and New Mexico as well as parts of northern Mexico, according to TPW.

The drop also correlates with a population plunge among harvester ants, a preferred meal among the lizards.

But, the lizard population in West Texas is steady, said Chip Ruthven, a project leader for Texas Parks and Wildlife.

"They're still very common in this part of the state," Ruthven said.

jfechter@express-news.net

Twitter: @JFreports