horny toad lizards

Question
We live in Nevada. My children and I  caught a horny toad lizard at grimes point in fallon, nv.  We collect red ants for food.  We have a sun glo/daylight lamp, water bowl, rocks, plants, and a heat pad under tank.  It just looks like it has a big belly. My children and I would like to know how to tell the gender of horny toad lizards? Do we need to change his name from willy to ?  Please help!

Thank you michele, jacob, and cheyenne

Answer
 Hi Michelle,

  As a mom, I know this will be hard, but wild caughts just don't do as well as captive bred lizards.  In some states, the Desert Horned Lizard is becoming rarer and rarer due to capture.  They just don't do as well in a tank.  And when winter comes, finding enough ants will become a problem. Some species of horned lizards are protected.  I think the kids should be told that their friend is visiting, and now should be taken back to the wild where he/she can do what he/she was meant to do.
 A toad like fat belly is normal for most species, by the way.
 After releasing your friend, you can call a reptile rescue and inquire about another reptile, fairly easy to keep with what you have, that really needs a good forever home.  The rescue will be happy to teach you all you need to know about good care for the species they have to recommend.