05/06/2026
It looks like a baby dinosaur. Because in many ways, it is.
This is a baby horned lizard. Phrynosoma. Born the size of a coin, independent within hours, no parental care.
Already equipped to shoot blood from its eyes up to 1.5 meters (5 feet). The blood contains a chemical specifically toxic to dogs, coyotes and foxes. One shot and they drop it.
The Texas horned lizard has disappeared from nearly half of its historic range. Not because of predators. Because the ants it eats are vanishing due to pesticides and invasive species.
Built to survive anything. Except us.