New Mexico Herpetological Society

10/14/2026

The New Mexico ridge-nosed rattlesnake is a small rattlesnake found in the mountains of southwestern New Mexico/southeastern Arizona, and, like other predators, serves an important role in the local food webs. Look closely and you’ll spot the ridge on its snout, which is where the species gets its common name. The subspecies is considered endangered by the state of New Mexico and threatened under the US Endangered Species Act, due to habitat loss, climate change, poaching and poor genetic diversity.

The New Mexico Department of Wildlife is dedicated to the conservation of the New Mexico ridge-nosed rattlesnake and is a partner on the US Fish and Wildlife Ridge-nosed Rattlesnake Recovery Team. In 2026, the Department collaborated with US Fish and Wildlife, researchers, Arizona Game and Fish, US Forest Service and multiple zoological partners to release captively reared animals to improve the genetic diversity of the rattlesnake. Additionally, Department law enforcement monitors the status of New Mexico ridge-nosed rattlesnake, given its high value to private collectors.

Photo: Jeff Servoss, US Fish and Wildlife Service.

10/08/2026

Felt cute, might shoot blood out of eyes later…

The short-horned lizard, also known as a “horned toad” or “horny toad,” has an unusual defense mechanism involving the flooding of the sinuses beneath its eyes with blood.

Neat.

When sufficiently threatened, the lizard’s final response is essentially: “Fine! I’m about to make this weird.”

It then shoots blood from its eye sockets at the predator, presumably leaving it frightened, confused, and moving the opposite direction.

The lizard can also use this impressive ability to remove foreign particles from the surface of its eyes. “Sorry! False alarm. Just a bit of dust. Come back! Anyone seen my contact?”

NPS Image: Short horned lizard dares you to make eye contact at Bandelier National Monument.

10/02/2026

09/30/2026

Great work trying to save this species

Project Obscurus Field Update!!

Court recaptured a very important snake. This New Mexico Ridge-Nosed Rattlesnake (a federally Threatened species under the U.S. Endangered Species Act) was implanted with a temperature logger and radio transmitter to help us understand the thermal ecology of this species. However, the snake wasn't able to be located last season before the transmitter battery died. Without retrieving the snake to download the data from the temp logger, all that data would have been lost. But thankfully we found it again!

Knowing how these snakes manage their body temperature compared to the environment around them will help us better inform their captive breeding and in determining suitable habitat for the reintroduction of captive bred individuals.

09/25/2026

09/25/2026

09/03/2026

Bleached Earless Lizard spotting!

Though called “earless”, this fantastic little lizard CAN hear. The term “earless” simply refers to the lack of external ear openings on the lizards. They do, however, have an inner ear structure that can detect sound vibrations, particularly lower frequencies and those transmitted through the ground. The reason for this lack of an ear opening is unknown, though there is a theory it prevents sand from getting in while burrowing!

The lizard pictured here was seen hanging out in a parking lot – a good reminder to slow down in parking lots for other visitors, including lizards!



Photo Credit: NPS/Paige G.

08/31/2026

🦖 Run. Stomp. ROAR. for science! 🏃‍♀️🧑‍🦽 🏃‍♂️
The TyRUNnosaurus 5K is back Sunday, September 27! Run, walk, bring the family, wear your best dinosaur gear—and help support the New Mexico Museum of Natural History Foundation.
Every registration helps us support science, education, and discovery at New Mexico’s natural history museum.

🦕 Come for the dinosaurs.
🏃 Stay for the fun.
🔬 Run for science.

Sign up today and join the herd!

https://runsignup.com/Race/NM/Albuquerque/TyRUNnosaurusRun

08/26/2026

Think you know tough? Meet the tiny desert dweller that can stare down predators… and shoot blood from its eyes to survive.

Today is ! Our featured star in today's post is the so‑called “Horned Toad” — really the Greater Short‑Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma hernandesi), a chunky little reptile that looks toad‑ish but is all lizard.

These sturdy lizards live in all kinds of habitats: prairies, sagebrush desert, pinyon‑juniper woodlands, and even high mountain forests. Their wide range makes them more flexible than many of their fussier horned‑lizard cousins. Their favorite snack? Ants — lots of ants — plus other tiny critters. But plenty of predators enjoy a lizard‑shaped snack, including roadrunners, hawks, owls, snakes, foxes, and coyotes. So how does this pint‑sized pal stay safe? First, they freeze and hope no one spots them. And yes, they can bite if needed. But their most famous trick is squirting blood from their eyes — a dramatic last‑ditch defense that tastes awful to potential predators, convincing them to drop the idea of lunch.

All of this is a great reminder to Always Respect Wildlife. If you spot a Greater Short‑Horned Lizard at Salinas Pueblo Missions, enjoy the view — but remember, look, don’t touch!


Photo by NPS/A. Bock.