Strong, resilient and unique.
Those three words not only describe our students, but they also tell you about our mascot: the horned frog.
You may be wondering what a horned frog is and how it became our beloved mascot, so we wanted to share some fun facts and ongoing initiatives that TCU has been a part of to help these small, yet mighty creatures.
The Texas horned lizard (Phrynosoma cornutum) is the largest of 15 species of horned lizards found in the United States. You may hear the name horned frog or horned toad, which originates from the creature’s short snout, round body and pronounced stance that makes them look like a frog or toad.
Horned frogs are fierce when it comes to defending themselves. They rely on their camouflage skin to keep them hidden in the wild and to stand strong against any potential threat. Horned frogs puff out their chests to assert dominance and have spikes on their bodies, making it hard for predators to eat.
One of the coolest facts about horned frogs is that they shoot blood for up to five feet out of their eyes! This is another defense mechanism that wards off any predators with a chemical that has a foul taste. Lesson learned: don’t mess around with a horned frog!
Horned frogs are becoming more unique and harder to find in the wild due to the shrinking population of fire ants. The ants are a staple to the horned frog diet, making it difficult for them to thrive in their natural habitat.
Luckily, our TCU students are working to find ways to prevent the extinction of horned frogs! College of Science & Engineering's Dean Williams, Ph.D., is working on the TCU Horny Toad Project to help the Fort Worth and San Antonio Zoos breed horned frogs with the goal to release them into the wild.
With the help of Texas Parks and Wildlife, Williams and both zoos have made significant progress towards saving horned frogs. In fact, a record-breaking 617 Texas horned lizards were hatched and released in 2024 into the Mason Mountain Wildlife Management Area.
If you ever want to see what a horned frog looks like in real life, check out the Mountains & Desert exhibit at the Fort Worth Zoo, right down the street from TCU!
So, how did the horned frog become associated with TCU in the first place?
It started back in 1897 when the yearbook staff was looking for a catchy name to use as the title for the book. The football team was introduced the year before, and legend has it that the field was covered in horned frogs, making the mascot choice fun and memorable!
Now it’s your turn to see what life as a horned frog on TCU’s campus looks like! Get ready to explore the rich history and vibrant traditions that make TCU unique. Schedule a campus visit and experience the passion and spirit of our horned frog community!
Sophia Vargas ’25 studies strategic communication at TCU with a minor in political science, and is from Northern California. She is a digital media intern and operations intern for the Office of Admission. Sophia is also involved with her local church and the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) chapter on campus.