Adorable Baby Texas Horned Lizards Dig Into Sand

I have always had a soft spot in my heart for baby animals. They are just so darn cute. So when I came across the video at the end of this article from the San Antoni Zoo, I had to watch this rascal on repeat.

Look at that little fellow dig! It's so cute!.

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Adorable Baby Texas Horned Lizards Dig Into Sand

Known affectionately as “horny toads” by many Texans, these reptiles use sand not just for fun but for survival. The act of burying helps regulate their body temperature, conserve moisture, and stay hidden from predators. But when caught on video, the slow, deliberate wiggle of these tiny lizards as they disappear beneath the surface is hard not to interpret as pure cuteness.

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Wildlife experts say this behavior is typical for the species, particularly in young lizards. “They’re doing exactly what evolution designed them to do,” explains a Texas Parks and Wildlife biologist. “But it also happens to be incredibly charming to watch.”

The Texas horned lizard, once common across the state, has seen its population decline in recent decades due to habitat loss and invasive ant species. Conservation efforts, including captive breeding and reintroduction programs, are now helping the species make a slow comeback.