A Real Thorny Devil
Mar 6, 2023 03:02:51 #
The thorny devil sometimes referred to as a thorny dragon, mountain devil or thorny lizard is a small lizard native to Australia. Growing up to 21cm (8.3in) long including its tail, its body is covered in hard sharp spines that make it unpalatable to many would be predators.
Their diet is almost entirely ants and they may eat 3,000 or more a day. They absorb water by capillary action through their body and feet or what may run down their back and into their mouth during rain or heavy dew. During dry times they may dig for damp sand which they will flick onto their back to extract the moisture.
They are masters of camouflage and have a false head above and behind their real head which they present if threatened. They can also use their tail as an extra leg in tripod fashion and puff up their body to present a more threatening image to attackers. They have been recorded running at speeds up to 60kph (37mph).
They can be found over most of Central Australia's arid and semi arid areas.
Their diet is almost entirely ants and they may eat 3,000 or more a day. They absorb water by capillary action through their body and feet or what may run down their back and into their mouth during rain or heavy dew. During dry times they may dig for damp sand which they will flick onto their back to extract the moisture.
They are masters of camouflage and have a false head above and behind their real head which they present if threatened. They can also use their tail as an extra leg in tripod fashion and puff up their body to present a more threatening image to attackers. They have been recorded running at speeds up to 60kph (37mph).
They can be found over most of Central Australia's arid and semi arid areas.
Photo 1
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Photo 2
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Photo 3 Masters of camouflage
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Photo 4
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Phot 5 - Adult and baby.
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Photo 6 - Partly in focus baby thorny devil.
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Photo 7 - Thorny devil from the dinosaur era - maybe not, just a resin model in a play ground.
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Mar 6, 2023 05:40:05 #
In general Australia is an alien world filled with beasts gone astray.... !!
Many a predator would think more than twice before viewing this lizard as a possible meal.
Many a predator would think more than twice before viewing this lizard as a possible meal.
Mar 6, 2023 06:20:44 #
Thorny Devil wrote:
The thorny devil sometimes referred to as a thorny... (show quote)
Great set Of images!!!
Very interesting critter
Mar 6, 2023 06:23:58 #
Mar 6, 2023 06:55:31 #
Mar 6, 2023 06:57:33 #
Mar 6, 2023 07:27:12 #
Mar 6, 2023 07:40:01 #
Right, I don't want to eat one of these! Great photos and descriptions of an amazing creature, thanks for posting!
Mar 6, 2023 07:45:46 #
Mar 6, 2023 07:52:17 #
tcthome
Loc: NJ
Pretty wild, especially looking straight down on it. Inside a wooded area, ground covered woth leaves, I'd probably never spot one. Nice photos.
Mar 6, 2023 07:52:37 #
Mar 6, 2023 07:55:51 #
Aptly named critter!Mar 6, 2023 08:27:14 #
Mar 6, 2023 08:37:10 #
We have some very similar in the States, in the dryer areas of the south west. But not quite as flamboyant! They also eat ants.
Great shots! Thanks for sharing these!!
Great shots! Thanks for sharing these!!
Mar 6, 2023 09:00:00 #
dpullum wrote:
In general Australia is an alien world filled with beasts gone astray.... !!
Many a predator would think more than twice before viewing this lizard as a possible meal.
Many a predator would think more than twice before viewing this lizard as a possible meal.
Thanks for you feedback dpullum - and it is not just the animals that are beasts gone astray!!
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