Where Did the Horny Toad Go?

Gr 6–9—The Horny Toad, actually the Horned Lizard, of the Southwestern United States and Mexico used to be a common sight. This unique reptile, resembling a small dinosaur with remarkable powers of camouflage and known to shoot streams of foul tasting blood at its enemies, had been around for 23 million years. This independently made documentary explores the reasons for its great decline and encourages the preservation of those colonies that still remain. Using a combination of animation, interviews, and on-location scouting, the former prevalence of these creatures in Texas, Oklahoma, and other states is explored at length. Biologists and local folk reminisce in detail about the great love of horny lizards as well and the torments inflicted upon them by area children. The history of their near extinction through loss of habitat, pesticide use, and the introduction of the South American fire ant is explained. Conservation projects intended to halt their decline and encourage rehabitation in appropriate areas is explored. The down-home, folksy narration diminishes some of the seriousness of the topics under discussion and the background music sometimes intrudes on the story being told. Although the production is often interesting, the repetitiousness of some of the points being made make it less valuable for classroom use.—Eva Elisabeth VonAncken, formerly Trinity-Pawling School, NY