Horned Lizards (Revised Edition) (Grover E. Murray Studies in the American Southwest) [Paperback]

Jane Manaster (Author)

Book Description

Series: Grover E. Murray Studies in the American Southwest | Publication Date: December 15, 2002

Horned lizards, or horny toads, as they are popularly known throughout the West, have long had a particular mystique in American folklore. The ancient peoples of the Southwest, the Anasazi and the Mimbres, depicted the little lizard on pottery and in petroglyphs. In more recent times, it represented health and happiness in the symbology of Native Americans. Among Americans today, the horny toad has an almost legendary appeal. Many westerners remember times when the lizards were plentiful and children kept them on string leashes or in boxes as pets. Dried horned lizards were sold in the roadside curio shops along the nation’s major highways. More recently, as the lizards’ habitat has shrunk and as imported fire ants have supplanted their favored prey, the numbers of horned lizards have declined drastically. In many regions where the little creatures once abounded, they are no longer seen. In Texas, two of the three native species, the Texas horned lizard and the mountain short-horned lizard, are now designated as threatened. Jane Manaster has written this book for a general audience, but she discusses all aspects of the lizards’ biology as well as the horned lizard’s place in the culture of the West. Most of all, she has written it to attract attention to this little animal that deserves our respect and protection.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

A freelance writer and geographer, Jane Manaster lives in Austin, Texas. She is the author of several works, including Horned Lizards (TTUP, 2002) and Pecans (2009).

Product Details

• Paperback: 94 pages
• Publisher: Texas Tech University Press; Revised edition edition (December 15, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0896724956
• ISBN-13: 978-0896724952
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 4.8 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,160,098 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars no useful information, July 21, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Horned Lizards (Corrie Herring Hooks Series) (Hardcover)

in this book, Manaster gives lots of info on the past. folklore, tales, and the like. She gives info on the people who have studied them greatly. she shows how they are tied to our past. But, if you i looking for a book that tells you how to care for these wonderful creatures, you'll need to look somewhere else. there is no animal husbandry. No info on keeping them happy and healthy. So, if you are looking for history, it's a great book; if you need helpful information, try another book.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars a damn good book that you should buy, June 1, 1999

By 

mathias([e-mail]) (riverside, california) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Horned Lizards (Corrie Herring Hooks Series) (Hardcover)

ok, theres a lil something for everyone here, some tales, some science, some husbandry, and pix too! whats lacking is more about the horny toads in mexico, especially pix! its not fair to tell us theres 14 species and only show us pix of 7! still tho, you cant really snivel, since information on horned lizards is so hard to find. at any rate buy this book, its worth it.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars History, biology, habitat, and life cycles, February 11, 2003

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Horned Lizards (Revised Edition) (Grover E. Murray Studies in the American Southwest) (Paperback)

Now in a newly revised and expanded edition, Horned Lizards by freelance writer and Austin, Texas-based historian Jane Manaster is an informed and informative guide to a fascinating group of Southwestern lizards, who are colloquially referred to as "horny toads", and who posses a very special and distinctive place in both Old West folklore and Native American mythology. The history, biology, habitat, and life cycles of these amazing creatures is accessibly surveyed, as well as contemporary conservation efforts seeking to preserve this threatened species. Black-and-white photographs and a brief inset section of color plates enhance this enjoyable and highly recommended contribution to wildlife and natural history studies.