FORT WORTH, Texas (Aug. 14, 2026) – World Lizard Day has a special connection to Texas Christian University. The Texas horned lizard is not only the inspiration behind TCU’s Horned Frog mascot, but also the focus of research aimed at helping restore the species in Texas.

The Texas horned lizard, the official state reptile, has been getting some attention lately. Recent sightings include one near a reintroduction site outside San Antonio that could indicate released lizards are reproducing in the wild.

TCU biology professor Dean Williams has spent years studying Texas horned lizards, from their genetics and diets to what happens after captive-bred lizards are released into the wild. 

His work, alongside Texas Parks & Wildlife Department and zoo conservation programs, is helping researchers learn what gives reintroduced populations the best chance to survive.

“This lizard suggests that the individuals released by the San Antonio Zoo have begun reproducing. This requires some further investigation, but if true, that is good news for that reintroduction. We have also had breeding among released lizards in Mason, but it hasn’t been consistent due to high predation levels,” Williams said.

Predators are one of the biggest challenges. Williams and his team are testing a large snake-proof enclosure to see whether giving young lizards more time to grow before they venture out can improve their odds of survival. They also are studying what hatchlings eat and the temperatures they prefer in the wild, information that could help researchers choose better locations for future releases.

Even what a horned lizard eats matters. Harvester ants can make up as much as 90% of its diet. TCU students have been part of the work, helping release captive-bred hatchlings and tracking the tiny lizards afterward to learn where they go and how they fare.

For TCU, the research has a natural connection. The Texas horned lizard — commonly known as a “horned frog” — has represented the university for more than a century. Today, TCU researchers are helping determine what it will take for the species to thrive again in areas where populations have declined.

Read more about the recent horned lizard sightings and TCU’s research and explore the conservation partnership behind the work.

Media Opportunity

Williams is available to discuss:

Download Media Assets:

TCU Media Contact:
Holly Ellman
Associate Director of Communication
817-257-NEWS (6397)
h.ellman@tcu.edu

News Delivered Weekly to Your Inbox!