The thorny devil, a unique lizard species native to Australia, captures attention with its unusual appearance. This reptile inhabits the arid and semi-arid deserts across much of central and western Australia, where its distinctive features allow it to thrive.
Distinctive Physical Features
The thorny devil’s body is covered in a dense array of conical spines, giving it a spiky appearance. These spines project outwards from its entire upper side, including its legs and tail. The texture of these spines is often described as similar to rose thorns, making the lizard difficult to handle. Behind its true head, the thorny devil possesses a prominent, spiny growth known as a “false head” or “nuchal hump.” This false head is composed of soft tissue, unlike the bony spines found on some other spiky lizards.
Its coloration typically consists of shades of brown, tan, yellow, or orange, allowing it to blend with the desert sands and scrub. This camouflage can shift, with the lizard appearing paler in warm weather and darker in colder conditions or when alarmed. The thorny devil has a flattened, broad body that helps it merge with the ground. Its eyes are small and beady, while its legs are relatively short and spiny.
Appearance as Survival Strategy
The thorny devil’s appearance serves several survival functions in its desert habitat. Its mottled coloration and spiny texture provide camouflage, enabling it to blend into the sandy, arid environment. This makes it challenging for predators, such as birds of prey and goannas, to spot the lizard against the desert backdrop. The lizard’s slow, rocking gait, which involves freezing intermittently, helps it avoid detection.
Beyond camouflage, the spines act as a defense mechanism. The sharp points deter predators by making the thorny devil difficult to swallow. When threatened, the lizard often lowers its actual head between its front legs, presenting its spiny false head to the predator. This tactic can confuse or intimidate attackers, protecting its true head. The thorny devil can also inflate its chest, appearing larger.
A notable adaptation is the thorny devil’s ability to collect water. Its skin features a network of microscopic grooves between its scales. These channels use capillary action to draw water from various sources, such as dew, rainfall, or moist sand, directly to its mouth. This allows the lizard to absorb moisture from its surroundings without actively drinking.
General Dimensions and Lifespan
The thorny devil is a small lizard, measuring 15 to 21 centimeters (6 to 8.3 inches) in total length, including its tail. Females are generally larger than males. The average weight of a thorny devil ranges from 33 to 88 grams (1.16 to 3.12 ounces).
Despite its small size, the thorny devil exhibits longevity for a desert reptile. In the wild, these lizards can live for an average of 15 to 20 years. It lives in arid and semi-arid regions of Australia, such as sandy loam soils, scrublands, and spinifex grasslands.