Thorny Devil

The Thorny Devil (Moloch horridus) is an unmistakable type of dragon lizard. They can be observed slowly and somewhat awkwardly moving about sand and spinifex country in the arid areas of central and western Australia. The knob growing from their backs acts as a 'false head' to confuse predators, while camouflage colouration and intimidating spiny body armour provide further protection. Thorny Devils thrive on a diet of exclusively small black ants and will sit next to an ant trail all day, eating thousands of individuals. They also possess a remarkable adaption for survival in dry desert conditions. Water that condenses on the skin overnight slowly moves through small channels on the bodies surface by capillary action towards the corner of the mouth. They can also stand in a small puddle to move water this way, effectively 'drinking through their feet'.