A short-horned lizard AKA horny toad is basking in the sun this weekend while laying on a patch of volcanic tuff in the Jemez Mountains and lifting spirits all over Los Alamos. There are over a dozen recognized horned-lizard species distinguishable by the formidable crown of horns adorning their head and the numerous spines across their back. They feed primarily on ants and are known to eat grasshoppers, beetles and spiders. Despite their spiky features, short-horned lizards are preyed upon by a number of creatures, including hawks, roadrunners, snakes, lizards, dogs, wolves and coyotes. Consequently, they have adapted a pair of remarkable talents. In order to ward off hungry predators, short-horned lizards are capable of inflating their bodies up to twice their size, resembling a spiny balloon. And if this proves insufficient, some species employ one of the animal kingdom’s most bizarre defensive mechanisms: they shoot blood from their eyes. The ominous squirting blood emanates from ducts in the corners of their eyes and can travel up to three feet. It’s meant to confuse would-be predators, but also contains a chemical noxious to dogs, wolves and coyotes. Source: www.nationalgeographic.com. Photo by Christopher Fresquez
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Horny Toad Basks In Sunshine Lifting Spirits In Los Alamos
A short-horned lizard AKA horny toad is basking in the sun this weekend while laying on a patch of volcanic tuff in the Jemez Mountains and lifting spirits all over Los Alamos. There are over a dozen recognized horned-lizard species distinguishable by the formidable crown of horns adorning their head and the numerous spines across their back. They feed primarily on ants and are known to eat grasshoppers, beetles and spiders. Despite their spiky features, short-horned lizards are preyed upon by a number of creatures, including hawks, roadrunners, snakes, lizards, dogs, wolves and coyotes. Consequently, they have adapted a pair of remarkable talents. In order to ward off hungry predators, short-horned lizards are capable of inflating their bodies up to twice their size, resembling a spiny balloon. And if this proves insufficient, some species employ one of the animal kingdom’s most bizarre defensive mechanisms: they shoot blood from their eyes. The ominous squirting blood emanates from ducts in the corners of their eyes and can travel up to three feet. It’s meant to confuse would-be predators, but also contains a chemical noxious to dogs, wolves and coyotes. Source: www.nationalgeographic.com. Photo by Christopher Fresquez
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