It may be that they are declining due to drought and this causes ants they eat to suffer because the plants they feed on are also suffering. Also people killing ant nests doesn't help either. Pet collection could be true too. But, it's illegal without a permit. Predatory species may be true also because there are many more Cooper's Hawks which are said to hunt them too. So, is that 3 in all including the baby? I also suggest you post your photos here http://www.herpcount.org/
Regal Horned Lizards are declining from Tucson. I haven't seen one for a long time where I live in the Catalina Foothills. I used the see them a lot in 1980 when we moved here. Then when there was a drought in 1992 or something they were harder to see. How many did you see when you took these shots in 2009 and where were you in the Tucson area? Was it just the one baby?
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Great picture, just gorgeous! I've seen until now just the adult ones...
Thank you very much for the info. I would like for you to join my Tucson Wildlife Count project mission and add this spotting to it.
Only 2 total. I believe the one in the photos was pretty close to adulthood as it almost stretched across my hand - body length of about 5 inches.
It may be that they are declining due to drought and this causes ants they eat to suffer because the plants they feed on are also suffering. Also people killing ant nests doesn't help either. Pet collection could be true too. But, it's illegal without a permit. Predatory species may be true also because there are many more Cooper's Hawks which are said to hunt them too. So, is that 3 in all including the baby? I also suggest you post your photos here http://www.herpcount.org/
I had no idea they were declining. Is it due to pet collection, pollution, predatory species?
I only saw 2 in 5 days of hiking - both in Saguaro National Park. Both were young adults.
Regal Horned Lizards are declining from Tucson. I haven't seen one for a long time where I live in the Catalina Foothills. I used the see them a lot in 1980 when we moved here. Then when there was a drought in 1992 or something they were harder to see. How many did you see when you took these shots in 2009 and where were you in the Tucson area? Was it just the one baby?
Thanks! Neat little lizards
Wow! What a shot! For the one with the baby in the flower.