Horny Toads and Metal Art Sculptures From the Texas Toad Ranch



Horny Toads ~ Horned Frogs ~ Horned Lizards
Horny Toad History And Horny Toad Art
 
The horny toad is really not an amphibian (or frog), but is a reptile lizard that  is found under the genus Phrynosoma and is often times known as a North American Desert Lizard.  Horny Toads get their name by the protruding "horns' over their eyes and surrounding their head.  They can be quite fierce looking, but are really a gentle species.  However, when threatened, and as a last resort, they may "squirt" blood out from their eyes towards their assailant as a defense mechanism.

There are actually 14 known species of horned lizards ranging from Arkansas to the Pacific Coast, and from British Columbia south to Guatemala.  The largest is the Giant Horned Lizard, and the smallest is the Pygmy Horned Lizard.  The Texas Horned Lizard is identified as Phrynosoma cornutum.

The horned lizard, aka horny toad has spiked scales and a fat body somewhat like the ones portrayed on our logo and TCU wall ornament above.  The head is protected by a helmet of spikes and the back and sides are protected as well by smaller spikes.  Thirty years ago the Texas horned toad was seen readily but now it is scarce and considered threatened due to modernization, imported fire ants, and insecticides.  The native Americans respected the horny toad lizard at least a thousand or so years.  Many tribes consider them magical and are considered good luck.

Texans are enamored with this wonderful archaic prehistoric looking lizard.  We want to help promote public awareness of this great native horned lizard.  It is against the law now to capture and keep these reptiles without special approval and the required training for their proper care.  They do not seem to survive well in captivity and it is rare for them to breed in captivity. 

There is a story of one horny toad who was captured in 1897 and placed in a historic building, the Eastland County Court House during it's cornerstone dedication by a justice of the peace along with a bible during construction.  Thirty some years later, during remodeling & reconstruction, he was found in the wall with the bible, and when the horny toad was removed, he twitched a leg, and awoke from a long dormant sleep.  Thusly he was named, OLD RIP.  Unfortunately, his lifespan was short thereafter.  He died one year later from pneumonia and was immortalized by embalming him & placing him in a velvet lined casket for puplic viewing in the Eastland County Court House.   (He was not returned to the wild in the continued ignorance of man).  The human race has to be educated in not keeping wild animals in captivity for our enjoyment.

Here is a Link to an article of the story with pictures of Old Rip

What can we do to help save the Texas horny toad?  Enjoy him/her when you have the rare chance of actually seeing one in the wild.   Take pictures!  We have taken on the cause, My husband and a friend and fellow metal worker & designer have created their own plasma cut & powder coated Texas horny toad art!

Please Be Sure to Visit our Online Website aka "Texas Toad Ranch" via this link:

A Little Background Information
About our Horny Toad Metal Art

The unique sculptured horny toad metal art  is originally designed & fabricated by Jimmy Neuman, and by Ron Gordon, my husband, a mechanical contractor with creative genius and engineering of mind boggling magnitude. They are able to materialize fantastic horny toad creations on our plasma cut machine and finish them each with colorful weather/wear resistant powder coating.  So far we have:
  •  metal wall hangers also serving as yard & patio art,
  • tiny toad lizard magnets,
  • patio stands,
  • wine bottle holders/aerators
  • And Drum Roll Please.... Our Own Rendition of the TCU Horned Frog 
We also Do Custom Design Lettering (see Details on Site)


If you Have Looked at the Pictures, Visited our Horny Toad Ranch Website and Desire To Purchase:

Click On the Web Store Link Below:

My Etsy Shop: BestofbothWorlds

Many Styles and Types are Available for Sale Here: 
Once Inside my Virtual Store of Antiques and Collectibles,
Click on the "Metal" Link in Categories on the left of the Home Page to Pull up the Plasma Cut Steel Horny Toad & Horned Frog Metal Art

If You Still Have Questions After Visiting the Sites,

You May Email Me @this address:

cgordon@texastoadranch.com

Thank You!
~!~


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Other Links to Important Sites:


Tales from the Heart For the Abuse Survivor

@ my Blog Site: "Butterfly Spirit Tales"

Save our Own Local Businesses

 

Help the Animals


The Animal Rescue Site

World Peace
Posted by TexasToad Ranch at 12/4/2010 12:51 PM
Categories: Peace, sculpture, drink stand, metal, cut steel, wall hanger, patio, TCU horned frog, plant stand, tiny toad, magnet, wine bottle aerator, paper weight, horny toad, art
Tags: TCU horned toad imagine patio horny toad www.texastoadranch.com art steel horned lizard plasma cut original wall Texas Horny Toad Ranch original design metal Texas Toad Ranch peace horned frog powder coated Texas Christian University wall hanger USA Made in USA toad hand wrought lettering personalized original metal art
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