Thorny devil facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Thorny devil |
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| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Iguania |
| Family: | Agamidae |
| Subfamily: | Amphibolurinae |
| Genus: | Moloch Gray, 1841 |
| Species: |
M. horridus
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| Binomial name | |
| Moloch horridus Gray, 1841
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| Distribution of Moloch horridus | |
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| Synonyms | |
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Acanthosaura gibbosus |
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The thorny devil (Moloch horridus) is an amazing lizard found in Australia. People have many other nicknames for it. They call it the mountain devil, thorny lizard, thorny dragon, and moloch. This creature belongs to the family Agamidae. It is found naturally only in the Australian continent. It is also the only member of its genus, which is named Moloch. This small reptile grows up to 21 cm (8.3 in) in total length. Female lizards are usually larger and heavier than male lizards.
The thorny devil has many sharp spikes over its entire body. Because of its wild look, it resembles a tiny dragon. However, it is quite harmless to human beings. It moves slowly and spends its time looking for small insects.
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How the Thorny Devil Got Its Scientific Name
A British scientist named John Edward Gray first described this lizard in 1841. He created the scientific label Moloch horridus. The name Moloch comes from an ancient story about a strange beast. The second word, horridus, is Latin for rough or bristly. Gray chose these words because the lizard looks fierce and spiky.
Scientists place this reptile in its own special genus called Moloch. Some experts wonder if another related species might hide in the wild. The thorny devil shares a similar shape with the North American horned lizards. Those American lizards belong to the genus Phrynosoma. Even though they look like twins, they are not close relatives. Their matching bodies are an example of convergent evolution. That means two different animals developed similar traits to survive similar dry lands. People also call this creature the "devil lizard" or "thorny toad".
What Does the Thorny Devil Look Like?
The body of a thorny devil reaches around 21 centimetres long. It can live for 15 to 20 years in nature. Its skin displays brown, tan, and yellow desert colors. These earthy shades provide wonderful camouflage among rocks and sand. When the weather is cool, its skin turns darker brown. When the weather gets hot, its skin turns pale yellow.
Conical, uncalcified thorns stick out from the lizard's neck, back, and legs. These spikes make the animal look dangerous to hungry hunters. The scales feel tough, rigid, and bumpy. Underneath, its belly has smooth, paler scales that touch the sand.
The thorny devil has an odd way of walking across the sand. It stops, freezes, and rocks back and forth before taking slow steps. This strange motion helps it blend in with dry leaves blowing in the wind.
The Trick of the False Head
The thorny devil has an extra bump on the back of its neck. Scientists call this soft bump a "false head." When a hungry animal approaches, the thorny devil dips its real head down. It hides its real face between its front legs.
This move pushes the spiky false head right into view. A confused attacker tries to bite the fake head instead. The attacker gets a mouth full of sharp spikes and often gives up.
How Skin Gathers Water
Water is very hard to find in dry Australian lands. The thorny devil has a clever way to drink without a stream. Its outer skin layer contains keratin fibers that love water. Tiny microscopic grooves run between all of its scales.
When morning dew settles on its back, moisture fills these tiny grooves. The lizard's skin turns superhydrophilic, meaning it pulls in liquid instantly. Then, a natural force called capillary action pushes the water forward. The liquid flows along channels right into the corners of its mouth.
The lizard can also stand in damp sand to drink. It kicks wet soil onto its back with its feet. The skin draws moisture straight out of the wet sand grains. Other desert reptiles use a similar trick, such as the Texas horned lizard and Phrynosoma modestum. Other lizards like Phrynocephalus arabicus, Phrynocephalus helioscopus, Phrynocephalus horvathi, Trapelus flavimaculatus, and Trapelus mutabilis also collect moisture on their bodies.
Where Does the Thorny Devil Live?
The thorny devil makes its home across vast dry lands. It wanders through the harsh desert and dry scrubland of central Australia. It also thrives in sandy plains, sand dunes, and the mallee belt.
These lizards prefer areas covered in sandy loam soils. Sandy loam allows them to dig burrows easily to escape harsh temperatures. They can be found across the wide open spaces of Western Australia. They also inhabit parts of the Northern Territory and South Australia.
How the Thorny Devil Protects Itself
Living in the desert means facing many hungry hunters. The primary predator animals of the thorny devil are large birds and goanna monitors. However, catching and eating a thorny devil is not an easy task.
The sharp spikes on its body hurt the mouths of enemies. If a bird tries to swallow one, the spikes get stuck. The lizard can also puff its chest full of air. This makes its body rounder, bigger, and much harder to swallow.
What Do Thorny Devils Eat?
Thorny devils are picky eaters that feed almost entirely on ants. They sit beside an ant trail and wait patiently. When an ant walks past, the lizard flicks out its sticky tongue.
A single thorny devil can eat several thousand ants in one day. They enjoy eating tiny ants from the species Ochetellus flavipes. They also catch ants from the group Camponotus and the hunter genus Ectatomma. Furthermore, they feast on Iridomyrmex ants, such as Iridomyrmex rufoniger. Other favorite meals include ants from Monomorium, Ochetellus, Pheidole, and Polyrhachis.
Reproduction and Life Cycle of the Thorny Devil
Thorny devils start their mating season during the late Australian winter. Between September and December, female lizards prepare to lay their eggs. The mother searches for a sunny sand ridge with soft soil.
She digs a nesting burrow about 30 centimetres beneath the surface. She carefully lays a clutch of three to ten eggs inside. Then, she fills the tunnel back up with sand to hide it. She pats down the dirt so predators cannot find the nest.
The baby lizards develop inside the eggs beneath the warm soil. They take about three to four months to hatch. Once they hatch, the tiny babies dig their way out into the sun. They already have tiny spikes and start catching small ants right away.
See also
In Spanish: Diablo espinoso para niños
