0
How does a thorny devil protect itself and survive in its habitat?
Wiki User
∙ 10y ago
The thorny devil's scales change color due to seasonal changes. Also, differences in temperature affect them. This makes these animals seem almost invisible to predators, which gives them a better chance for survival. However, if they do get faced with a predator they tuck their heads under their body and reveal a "fake head." This is essentially a ball of spikes located behind their actual head. If a predator goes for this they get a mouthful of spines. So they have other defense mechanisms in addition to camouflage.
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
Wiki User
∙ 6y agoThe thorny devil's back is covered in sharp spikes, or thorns. It also has a decoy head equipped with more sharp thorns on the back of its neck which it will present to predators, protecting its real head by hiding it between its front legs. It may inflate itself to look bigger and more threatening to a predator. Its colouring is effective camouflage to hide it, while its slow, jerky movements are not seen by predators as easily as the quicker, darting movements of some other lizards.
Wiki User
∙ 10y agoThe thorny devil's back is covered in sharp spikes, or thorns. It also has a decoy head equipped with more sharp thorns on the back of its neck which it will present to predators, protecting its real head by hiding it between its front legs. It may inflate itself to look bigger and more threatening to a predator. Its colouring is effective camouflage to hide it, while its slow, jerky movements are not seen by predators as easily as the quicker, darting movements of some other lizards.
The spikes of the thorny devil have another function, and that is to help channel water towards the thorny devil's mouth. Water which lands on the Thorny Devil's back, whether it be overnight condensation or rain, runs along tiny grooves on the animal's body to the corner of its mouth. It moves along these grooves by a capillary action set in motion by gulping. The Thorny devil will also rub itself up against vegetation in the early morning to collect condensation on its thorns.
The thorny devil's colouring is orange/yellow and black: perfect for blending into the desert environment in which it lives.
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
What can humans to protect the thorny devils habitat?
It damage the thorny devil.
How do thorny devils cope in the hot weather?
A thorny devil can survive by changing color and burying itself in the cool sand. It can change its temperature dramatically to adapt to the heat. It also stays under a rock during the day and comes out at night.
How does the thorny devil not let the water in its body evaporate?
because the thorny devil needs water to survive the harsh environment
How do spikes help thorny devils survive?
thorny devil lizards need spikes to camouflages in the desert that they live in so predators do not see them
How do thorny devils drink?
The thorny devil has sharp spikes which not only serve to protect it from some predators, but have the useful function of helping channel water towards the thorny devil's mouth. Water which lands on the Thorny Devil's back, whether it be overnight condensation or rain, runs along tiny grooves on the animal's body to the corner of its mouth. It moves along these grooves by a capillary action set in motion by gulping. The Thorny devil will also rub itself up against vegetation in the early morning to collect condensation on its thorns.
Why should you protect thorny devils?
they're part of the animals too... to think of it, we're actually the crullest
What impact does a zebra have in the rainforest?
None at all. Their habitat is grasslands, savannas, woodlands, thorny scrublands, mountains, and coastal hills. Not rainforests.
What is the physiological adaptation of thorny devils?
One behavioural adaptation for the Thorny devil is the way it can inflate itself to look bigger, thus deterring predators from coming near. Another adaptation is the way they will hide their head between their front legs and present their false 'head', which is a spiky protuberance on the back of their neck.
What is the thorny devil's instinct?
The thorny devil's instinct is to defend itself from predators. It possesses a 'false head' behind its neck. When a predator comes, it dips its real head to the ground and to expose its 'false head'.
Why do thorny devils have sand coloured skin?
Thorny devils have sandy coloured skin to enable them to camouflage in their habitat. This offers extra protection for what is a slow-moving and otherwise defenceless lizard. Thorny devils can actually change the colour of their skin to match their environment: therefore, some may appear sandy coloured, while others are darker.
What can you eat in the desert to survive?
you can eat rodents, camels, kangaroos, insects and any other animals (except thorny devils). believe me i am learning about it at school!
What habitat does a Thorny Devil have?
Thorny devils live in the desert and semi-arid outback regions of Australia. It thrives in sandy or sandy loam regions where it is camouflaged against the ground, and where the main vegetation is spinifex or sparse mallee scrub. The thorny devil, which is also sometimes known as the Moloch, is mostly found in the western two-thirds of the continent, through Western Australia, the Northern Territory and South Australia.
