Horned Toads? (Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Farmington: new house, elementary school, live)

[_yb]

I remember when I was a kid we use to be able to find horned toads by the dozens. I don't often see them anymore. I think the last one I saw was about 3 years ago out near Encino If I remember correctly.

Did the 20-30 acre ranchette kill off the toads? Were did they go? I still get out all over NM and seems like I would see them more often. Just curious?

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by _yb

I remember when I was a kid we use to be able to find horned toads by the dozens. I don't often see them anymore. I think the last one I saw was about 3 years ago out near Encino If I remember correctly.

Did the 20-30 acre ranchette kill off the toads? Were did they go? I still get out all over NM and seems like I would see them more often. Just curious?

Youll see less and less of them as the weather gets warmer. Your best bet is to look for them at night. Ive seen most of mine at night, but in Arizona.

[funkymonkey]

I too used to see them all the time in the 80's and early 90's near Santa Fe. I can't remember the last time I saw one though. I haven't lived in the Santa Fe area in about 8 years.

[Devin Bent]

Originally Posted by funkymonkey

I too used to see them all the time in the 80's and early 90's near Santa Fe. I can't remember the last time I saw one though. I haven't lived in the Santa Fe area in about 8 years.

I saw something the other day north of Santa Fe, fatter than the lizards I see, but it was gone too quickly for me to get a good look at it. If that wasn't one, then I haven't seen one since I was a kid in the Boy Scouts and the southwestern scouts had them to trade.

Maybe they all got traded?

[BrianH]

I had a bunch of Horned Toads at my old house, never saw one bofore. They are amazing to look at and photograph, I should see if I can find me pics.

[jsc23]

Growing up in W. Texas I'd see horny toads everywhere, haven't seen one in four or five years now.

Populations have declined precipitously over the last 30 years for many reasons, big factors are the spread of fire ants (they displace the harvester ants the HLs feed on and can kill the poor lizards who try to eat 'em), pesticides ( screwing up eggshells), and replacement of native grasses with non-native species that inhibit HLs burrowing and denning, and pet collecting. They aren't yet federally listed as endangered.

[ziaAirmac]

I think the shortage of horney toads is related to development. When I was growing up in Santa Fe (Late 70's / early 80's) We would find one 'horney' toad for about every 7-10 lizards. The lizards were mostly Western Fence lizards, that have a dull grey to tan top, but a shiny white belly with gorgeous turquoise on either side and usually some black outlining. The rest were generally what we called 'six-striped racers' but I found out later they're skinks. We would find horney toads just playing around at lunch time in elementary school. I found one in an arroyo just outside of town that was as big as a dinner plate. It was an amazing specimen. Generally they're small enough to sit in your palm though. The last one I saw was in open ground outside of Los Lunas a couple of years ago. Nothing since, but I've spent most of the time in Albuquerque proper.

[BrianH]

Ants could be the factor why I have not seen Horny Toads in my new house. I burned the yard four years ago at the last place and didnt get ants back, but had lots of toads. Loadsa ants here and no toads.

[catman]

Development is definitely related to the disappearance of horny toads. When I was a kid here in Ft Worth, TX, horny toads and fireflies were common. I haven't seen either in decades, unfortunately. I think insecticides have a lot to do with it, too.

[desert sun]

I use to find horny toads around my house and in my alley all the time in Portales,but the last time I saw one was in Farmington about 3 years ago.