Miami, FL
Zoo Miami celebrates first-ever hatching of threatened Texas horned lizards
MIAMI – For the first time, Zoo Miami has successfully hatched threatened Texas horned lizards as part of a conservation effort to boost their wild populations, zoo spokesman Ron Magill confirmed Tuesday in a news release.
Zoo Miami, in collaboration with the Center for Conservation & Research at San Antonio Zoo, has established “a satellite colony of Texas horned lizards to produce hatchlings under human care as part of the Texas Horned Lizard Reintroduction Project,” Magill wrote in the news release.
The hatchlings, once they are stable, will be transported to Texas and released in carefully selected sites by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, according to Magill.
Known colloquially as “horned frogs” or “horny toads,” the Texas horned lizard is an iconic species and the official state lizard of Texas, where it is listed as threatened and protected by law, the news release stated.
The lizard, which is distinguished by the horns on its head and rows of spiny scales along its sides, typically measures between 3 and 5 inches in length.
Magill said it normally inhabits dry grasslands, savannas, and deserts, with skin adapted to absorb water from dew and sand.
Zoo Miami said the species faces several threats, including habitat fragmentation, invasive species, and pesticide use.
According to Magill, harvester ants, the lizard’s primary food source, have declined due to competition with invasive fire ants and the use of pesticides. As a result, the Texas horned lizard population has decreased by more than 30% over the last 40 years.
The horned lizard’s first eggs were laid at the end of June, and the first hatching occurred on Aug. 9 at Zoo Miami, Magill confirmed Tuesday.
He said seven more hatchlings have since emerged, with more eggs still incubating.
The tiny hatchlings, which are small enough to fit on a quarter, “are being carefully monitored and fed fruit flies and small insect larvae until they are stable for transport,” Zoo Miami wrote in Tuesday’s news release.
Magill said zoo staff will then accompany the hatchlings to Texas to work with the San Antonio Zoo and other collaborators to release them back into the wild.
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Miami, FL
Florida fire map shows live updates on wildfires burning in Broward and Miami-Dade
Two active wildfires burning in Broward and Miami-Dade counties are reducing air quality and visibility across parts of South Florida Monday as firefighters continue working to contain the flames, according to the Florida Forest Service and other state and local agencies.
The fires are highlighted on Florida’s Active Wildfire Points map, an interactive tool that tracks current wildfires across the state and provides updated information on acreage burned and containment levels. You can check it out here:
Max Road Fire in Broward
The largest blaze, known as the Max Road Fire, was burning west of U.S. 27 and Pines Boulevard in western Broward County. Officials said the fire has scorched at least 5,000 acres as of Monday morning.
Smoke from the Max Road Fire was drifting north and northwest Monday morning due to a light southeast breeze.
Florida City fire in Miami-Dade
A second wildfire, called the 172nd Avenue Fire, is burning near Florida City in southern Miami-Dade County. Officials said the fire has burned at least 210 acres as of Monday morning.
Smoke from that fire remained relatively stagnant because of calm winds, though conditions later Monday could push smoke northward toward Leisure City and Homestead.
The 172nd Avenue Fire temporarily forced the closure of Card Sound Road and restricted access to the Florida Keys over the weekend, though the roadway has since reopened.
Authorities are still urging drivers to use caution in the area because heavy smoke could continue reducing visibility. Residents across South Florida are also being advised to monitor local air quality conditions as firefighters work to bring both blazes under control.
Florida dry season fuels wildfire risk
Florida is currently in its dry season, a period that typically runs from October through May and brings an increased risk of wildfires across the state.
According to the Florida Forest Service, peak wildfire season usually occurs during April, May and June, when dry vegetation, low humidity and windy conditions can help fires spread quickly.
The National Weather Service said ongoing drought conditions and low relative humidity have elevated wildfire danger across much of Florida in recent weeks. Officials are urging residents to avoid outdoor burning and remain alert as firefighters continue battling dozens of active wildfires statewide.
Miami, FL
Jarvis Landry Doesn’t Hold Back on Dolphins Offseason
Getty
(Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images for SiriusXM )
The Miami Dolphins are in the middle of a rebuild under new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan. This offseason, Sullivan cut ties with players like Tyreek Hill and Tua Tagovailoa and then traded away Jaylen Waddle.
Moreover, the team brought in former Green Bay Packers QB Malik Willis, drafted Kadyn Proctor in Round 1, and selected several pass catchers to help their new signal-caller. Miami also drafted Jacob Rodriguez to be their leader on that side of the football, potentially.
While there’s still more work to be done, Sullivan has laid the foundation for what he hopes will turn the Dolphins into a contender in the AFC. Nonetheless, one person who is fully on board with what Miami has done this offseason is former Dolphins wideout Jarvis Landry.
“I love the [Proctor] pick,” Landry said in a May video from “4th And South.“ Miami Dolphins, the GM, hey, he’s doing amazing. He is doing amazing. I’m excited to see how [the Proctor pick] works out. Malik Willis will get some protection up front. I still want to see them add more firepower on the edges, maybe even at tight end, and keep building.
“They added pieces on the defensive side of the ball during the offseason, including a couple of cornerbacks and safeties and things like that. But I would love to see them get Malik Willis a couple more weapons on the outside to do his thing [as] Jaylen Waddle left [and] Tyreek left.“
Jarvis Landry Excited About Miami’s Future
Moreover, Landry provided an exciting outlook for Miami under Sullivan as the general manager is only getting started in molding the Dolphins in his vision, especially with the draft capital that the team had in this past draft.
“I think the city of Miami is excited,” Landry added. “With all of these draft picks and the draft capital Miami acquired, and don’t forget, they traded back and got more value and more picks [in this past draft]. I think they’re the only team to have this many picks in this year’s draft, which is probably a record.“
Dolphins Were Reportedly Looking at a Veteran Wideout
While Landry would like for the Dolphins to add another receiver, they were reportedly trying to do that. On May 8, ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter shared that Miami was one of the teams interested in signing Jauan Jennings before he made his decision to sign with the Minnesota Vikings.
“The interesting thing is I was told that there were a few other teams,” Schefter said during a May 8 appearance on the “Pat McAfee Show.” “I can go back and get the exact list. I think it was the Dolphins, the Commanders. There was somebody else that was interested.
“The Vikings were the only team, I believe he wound up visiting at all. That was the only one. The other teams, the Chiefs and Commanders also were interested in Jauan Jennings. New Orleans also expressed a little interest.”
Now, for the Dolphins, it will be interesting to see whether they look at other veteran wideouts who might be a good fit, especially as a mentor for the group.
Eduardo Razo Eduardo Razo is a sports writer for Heavy.com, covering the NFL, MLB, and college football. He has previously covered the NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB for NBC Sports Washington and NBC Sports Bay Area & California, and has freelanced for PSG Talk, covering Paris Saint-Germain. He also worked as an editor at Athlon Sports, focusing on MLB and the NFL. More about Eduardo Razo
Miami, FL
Your 2026 Miami Dolphins Draft Picks Expectations
Highest ceiling: Proctor. There’s a reason they drafted him in the first round. If he loses 25 pounds, he can be a multi-time first team All Pro. But he has to put the work in and not be lazy.
Lowest ceiling: Caleb Douglas. Don’t see him fixing his drops. But I hope he proves me wrong.
Best overall pick: Jacob Rodriguez. Guy will be a sideline to sideline tackling machine.
Best value pick: Kyle Louis. He should have went in the 3rd round and will be a major contributor.
Best pick no one else sees as great…yet: Seydou Traore. The more tape I watch on this guy at Mississippi State, the more I like. If he refines his route running and hands, he could be our starting TE in 2 or 3 years.
Biggest reach pick: Caleb Douglas. See above. He should have went in the 5th, maybe 6th.
Biggest missed opportunity: Not drafting Bain. I sure hope those short arms limit him in the NFL. Now the guy has a huge chip on his shoulder and is pissed at the 14 teams that passed on him, including Miami. The guy was a menace in college. I’m not looking forward to facing the Bucs in the future.
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