(ORDO NEWS) — Each animal in its own way is protected from external threats. Someone runs fast, someone skillfully disguises himself, but toad-like lizards have invented their own self-defense technique. During the attack of a predator, they shoot … their own blood.
Toad-like lizards (lat. Phrynosoma) are a genus of short-legged and short-tailed lizards from the iguana-like suborder. Living mainly in arid regions, they feed mainly on insects.
The method of hunting these miniature dragon-like creatures is surprisingly simple: the lizard finds an anthill and begins to eat worker ants engaged in daily activities.
When they try to repulse the aggressor, they run into an insurmountable obstacle: the skin of the lizard (even on the eyelids) is covered with thick scales, which insects are not able to bite through.
Another thing – large predators. Usually toads escape from them with the help of a patronizing color, merging with stony soil.
But if the predator nevertheless noticed it, the lizard uses the last, very original means of self-defense: it sprinkles its own blood on the enemy.
The jet of blood escaping under high pressure from the periocular capillaries contains strong chemicals that have an irritating effect.
A bewildered and embarrassed coyote is eager to leave the beach as soon as possible, but the lizard calmly returns to cold-blooded eating of ants.
—
Online:
Contact us: [email protected]
Our Standards, Terms of Use: Standard Terms And Conditions.