Animalscaretips
The thorny devil, also called the thorny dragon, mountain devil, thorny lizard, or the moloch, is not a venomous animal. Its thorns are not toxic. Nevertheless, they have a deterrent effect on predators.
- Are thorny devils sharp?
- How do thorny devils stay cool?
- What does thorny devil look like?
- Why do thorny devils walk like that?
- How does the thorny devil protect itself?
- Where does the thorny devil sleep?
Are thorny devils sharp?
The thorny devil is covered in hard, rather sharp spines that dissuade attacks by predators by making it difficult to swallow. It also has a false head on its back.
How do thorny devils stay cool?
Habitat. Thorny devils live in the scorching deserts and arid scrub of Australia. ... Australia's desert temperatures climb up to 122 degrees Fahrenheit and can fall into the 30s at night. Thorny devils tunnel under scrub shade to stay cool on hot days and cover themselves with dirt on cool nights.
What does thorny devil look like?
The Thorny Devil is a diurnal (day-active) reptile reaching 20cm in length. It's covered in thorny spines and sports a 'pretend' head on the back of its neck, which is thought to warn off predators. Devils can change colour to blend into their surrounds, appearing mostly grey, red, orange or yellow.
Why do thorny devils walk like that?
One of the most striking Australian lizards, the thorny devil is a small dragon covered in densely packed spikes. The thorny devil walks with an unusual rocking motion that is thought to confuse birds of prey.
How does the thorny devil protect itself?
They usually remain active in March-May and in August-December. From January to February and in June-July, Thorny devils hibernate in their burrows. In order to defend themselves from predators, these little creatures use their hard sharp spines that dissuade attacks by predators by making them difficult to swallow.
Where does the thorny devil sleep?
When the Thorny Devil goes to sleep at night, it digs up the soil, and covers itself with it to stay warmer during really cold nights. The Thorny Devils dig themselves underground burrows, sometimes under scrub to provide protection from the heat.
