The spiny devil lizard uses its skin like a straw, enabling it to survive in the arid deserts of Australia.
A study published in the journal Experimental Biology by scientists at the University of Western Australia (UWA) highlights one of the primary ways the spiny devil lizard drinks water: by burying its body in moist sand and then sucking water from the sand.
The spiny devil lizard, scientifically known as Moloch horridus, is a species that inhabits the arid deserts and sandy plains of central and western Australia, according to ABC News.
The spiny devil lizard is adapted to survive in the harsh desert conditions of Australia. (Photo: Flickr).
Philip Withers, a co-author of the study, stated that the unusual skin is crucial for the survival of the spiny devil lizard in the extreme desert climate. “Their special skin system has evolved and is quite peculiar,” Withers said.
The capillary tubes in the skin of the spiny devil lizard help collect water from moisture in the sand and then direct it towards their mouth. While scientists have long known about this mechanism, they were unsure whether the lizard could fill the capillaries and drink water simply by standing on moist sand.
To investigate further, the research team analyzed the amount of water that six spiny devil lizards could drink under different scenarios. The results showed that all six lizards opened and closed their mouths to drink water just 10 seconds after being placed in a puddle. However, when placed on wet sand, 59% of the capillaries filled up, and the lizards did not drink any water.
“The spiny devil lizard can certainly suck and drink water when standing in a puddle. But they cannot drink water if just standing on moist sand because they cannot fill their capillaries. Therefore, they need to bury their bodies in sand to maximize the surface area of their skin in contact with the sand and also rely on gravity while drinking water,” Withers explained.
The spiny devil lizard is covered in sharp spikes all over its body.
The spiny devil lizard has a unique feature: a large, sharp spine on its back that aids in self-defense when necessary. With sharp spines covering its entire body, the spiny devil lizard, also known as the thorny dragon, resembles a prehistoric dinosaur, making it a creature that all predators avoid in the Australian desert.
These lizards have camouflage coloring of desert brown and tan that changes from light to dark depending on the weather. The spines on their backs also help in water absorption.
A unique characteristic of this species is the “false head” on the back of its neck, which they use to distract predators when feeling threatened. When threatened, they present the false head, creating a menacing image to deceive potential predators.
Adult females are typically larger than males. Females usually measure about 80-110 cm in length, while males do not exceed 95 cm. They can reproduce from their third year onward, and during reproduction, they often dig burrows to lay eggs, with this process typically occurring in October, November, and December.
The spiny devil lizard primarily feeds on ants and can consume thousands of ants daily. In cooler temperatures during early mornings and evenings, their skin darkens to absorb more sunlight. However, during midday and afternoon when it gets hotter, their skin lightens to protect against the sun.
Additionally, the eyes of the spiny devil lizard can shoot blood up to 1.5 meters with remarkable accuracy. Each time they shoot blood, they lose one-third of their total blood volume.
