The Texas Horned Lizard: A Reptile That Weeps Blood
To date, there are 20 known species of Texas horned lizard, all belonging to the genus Phrynosoma. Each of them is distinguished by color, size and quantity of horns and thorns present on its back.
Most of these lizards are about the size of a deck of cards, with a broad, flat body and short legs. When they run they give their all, but they are not animals characterized by speed.
Undoubtedly, the Texas horned lizard is made to defend itself. And it must do it, given the many dangerous animals that want to eat it.
Some Texas horned lizard species are known for the stinky gush of blood they spray from the eye when threatened. Let’s find out in detail the fascinating Texas horned lizard and its bizarre method of defense.
Where can we find a Texas horned lizard?
Texas horned lizards live mainly in dry places: from Guatemala to Mexico, through the deserts of Arizona, Texas and California, to the dry grasslands of southern Canada.
Typically, they are prey to hawks, shrieks, road runners, snakes, coyotes, foxes, wolves, lynxes, and even grasshopper rats. In reality, in the desert environment in which they live they are prey to any animals that spot them.
A master of camouflage
Undoubtedly, camouflage is the first defensive technique of the Texas horned lizard. This reptile changes its color to conform to the environment, camouflaging itself.
In fact, some species even imitate inedible objects, as in the case of the round-tailed Texas horned lizard, a subspecies that by arching its back and folding its legs is able to make itself totally indistinguishable among the rocks where it hides.
The frostbite and the nerves of steel
Many predators spot their prey as it moves. The Texas horned lizard knows this well, so much so that he has mastered the art of immobility. Moreover, the arrangement of its horns manages to create a shadow that can completely conceal the body, like a cloak of invisibility.
Also, when a predator approaches, the Texas horned lizard shows steadfast nerves and does not move at all. It does so only after a careful assessment of the danger, after considering your opponent and reflecting on the best defensive strategy.
The defensive strategy of the Texas horned lizard
Canids, like dogs or wolves, use teeth and claws to cut prey into small pieces. Snakes, on the other hand, prefer to ingest their prey whole, while grasshopper mice choose to bite the skull up to the brain.
Whip snakes are fast and actively hunt their prey. The Texas horned lizard could not escape their attack, so it decides to disguise itself and stay still. Cascavel snakes, on the other hand, passively hunt and wait for prey to approach them.
When a Texas horned lizard encounters this type of snake, it runs to save its life, knowing that the dangerous opponent most likely won’t chase it.
While no defense technique is foolproof, standing still in front of a whip snake and running around when encountering a cascavel snake are the best strategies adopted by the Texas horned lizard.
If the Texas horned lizard is trapped, all is not lost
Even in the most difficult circumstances the Texas horned lizard can pull off a few tricks up its sleeve. Predators such as snakes or road runners will try to capture the lizard in its entirety. This, however, thanks to the thorny body, will not make it easy for them.
Once the time comes, the Texas horned lizard will lean on its front legs and unfold its vertebrae to form an actual dorsal shield, or choose to inflate its torso to appear as large as possible.
Surprisingly, this technique works. There have been cases in which the attacker runs off, not considering himself able to eat the brave lizard in its entirety.
Of course, there are times when camouflage and armor aren’t enough to save the Texas horned lizard. But even in this case, before enjoying it, the predator is often forced to a last challenge: it is not difficult for the lizard to throw itself on the throat or on the belly of its opponent in an attempt to kill it.
The reptile that weeps blood
Finally, we tell you about the most famous defense technique of this reptile: the jet of blood. This strategy is reserved for two groups of predators: cats and canids, including dogs, coyotes and wolves.
The process is very simple. A bag under the lizard’s eyes, the ocular sinus, swells and fills with blood. The lizard activates a sudden increase in pressure to release the blood from the bag, with such force that it reaches two meters away.
This technique allows it to throw its own blood, an attitude not at all pleasing to predators. When the jet of blood reaches the predator’s mouth, the predator shakes his head and saliva profusely in an attempt to expel it, taking almost 15 minutes in the attempt.
Why does the blood stream work?
Blood contains a chemical aberrant to the palate of canids and felines. This defense technique is most effective when the jet of blood is aimed directly at the opponent’s mouth, rather than at the eyes or muzzle.
This could explain why this reptile waits until the last second, just before it is in the jaws of its attacker, before spitting its own blood.
The blood of this lizard tastes so unpleasant thanks to its diet. This explains why his diet includes highly poisonous ants.
The Texas Horned Lizard: A Survival Expert
To improve the conservation of species such as amphibians and reptiles, it is essential to know the history of their life. Only starting from this can the recovery of these species and their ecosystems be planned. Research and correct dissemination are fundamental for the pursuit of this goal.
