Blood squirting lizard. Middendorf, III Source: Cop...
Blood squirting lizard. Middendorf, III Source: Copeia, Dec. Because roadrunners and grasshopper mice are known to not elicit Horned lizard showing evidence of autohaemorrhaging Autohaemorrhaging, or reflex bleeding, is the action of animals deliberately ejecting blood from their bodies. They defend themselves from certain predators by shooting jets of blood from their eyes. and Mexico can shoot arcs of blood from their eye sockets. Subscribe: https:/ The blood that horned lizards squirt isn’t simply regular blood—it contains a chemical cocktail that serves as a potent deterrent to would-be predators. The short-horned lizard is often referred to as a “horned toad” or “horny toad” because its squat, flattened shape and short, blunt snout give it a toad-ish look. Meet the North American horned lizard, the world's weirdest lizard North American horned lizards - also known as horny toads - are just 9cm in length, yet are equipped with an impressive arsenal of novel, powerful defences. Jun 10, 2025 · Horned lizards, scientifically known as Phrynosoma, possess a specialized anatomical structure that enables their dramatic blood-squirting defense. 4. The most famous blood-squirting species include the Texas horned lizard, the coast horned lizard, and the greater short-horned lizard. Along with this, the lizard has plenty of interesting features, from the ability to puff up to clever camouflage. Research has shown that this blood contains compounds that are distasteful, even nauseating, to canid predators like coyotes and domestic dogs. S. The blood-squirting mechanism involves a complex physiological process that scientists have studied extensively. The Horned Lizard’s Blood-Squirting Eyes 4. nationalgeographic. 2001, No. Ocular autohemorrhaging has also been documented in other lizards, [9] which suggests blood-squirting could have evolved from a less extreme defense in the ancestral branch of the genus. When threatened, this lizard performs a truly startling feat: it squirts blood from its eyes as a unique yet threatening defence mechanism. When threatened, the horned lizard of the southwestern U. Subscribe: https://on. If you’ve ever been so angry you saw red, stand back, because the phrase “blood in your eye” gets taken to a whole new level by the horned lizard. ly/NatGeoSubscribeAbout National Geographic: If you’ve ever been so angry you saw red, stand back, because the phrase “blood in your eye” gets taken to a whole new level by the horned lizard. Apr 15, 2025 · Of the 17 recognized species of horned lizards, at least eight species have demonstrated the blood-squirting ability, with the Texas horned lizard (Phrynosoma cornutum) and the regal horned lizard (Phrynosoma solare) being particularly well-known practitioners of this defense. Researchers typically conduct controlled experiments where they mimic predator threats using various stimuli to observe when and how the blood-squirting response is triggered. They boast excellent camouflage; have armoured, spiky skin; and can inflate their bodies to double their size. Of the 21 species of horned lizards, 14 are native to the US. Two individuals were of juvenile size, suggesting, with data from large adults, that P. Oct 19, 2024 · But these lizards are most famous for their unusual defense mechanism: When threatened, they squirt a stream of blood from their eyes up to a distance of 5 feet (1. Lizards responded similarly to canid saliva and distilled water, implying that saliva does not provide cues used in the discrimination of canids. 5 meters) away. This pressure buildup is highly controlled and localized, preventing damage to other organs while preparing for the defensive lizards were simultaneously subjected to human tactile stimulation, 20% squirted blood. natgeo. When threatened, the horned lizard’s blood pressure increases dramatically in the ocular sinuses, sometimes rising to more than four times normal levels. Blood-Squirting Variability in Horned Lizards (Phrynosoma) Author(s): Wade C. Through their world-class scientists, photographers, journalists, and filmmakers, Nat Geo gets you closer to the stories that matter and past the edge of what's possible. The Horned Lizard’s Blood-Squirting Eyes (Image Credits: Wikimedia) The horned lizard, found in Central America and the western US, has incredible ways of defending itself against predators, which include coyotes, hawks, and snakes. Oct 14, 2025 · But their real super-power is their ability to shoot blood – loaded with foul toxins gleaned from a diet of venomous ants – from their eyes, to a distance of up to nine times their body length. They do this by Oct 19, 2023 · When their body armour fails to protect them, the horned-lizards resort to filling up the sinuses in their eyes with blood, and squirting it out of their sockets. Blood vessels around their eyes, called ocular sinuses, can rapidly fill with blood when the lizard feels threatened. A lizard that squirts blood - from its eyes? Just watch, it might save the lizard's life. 20, 2001), pp. It can squirt a strong stream of bright red blood out of its eyes to confuse and deter predators up to five feet (1. 1114-1122 Published by: American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists (ASIH). 4 (Dec. 20, 2001, Vol. orbiculare defensive strategy If you’ve ever been so angry you saw red, stand back, because the phrase “blood in your eye” gets taken to a whole new level by the horned lizard. Learn how this reptile uses camouflage, spines, inflation, and an ant-based diet to outsmart predators. This usually frightens the threat lurking around them. The North American horned lizard may be tiny, but it boasts one of nature’s strangest defense mechanisms—shooting toxic blood from its eyes. 5 meters). Overall, tactile cues appear to play a significant role in the elicitation of blood-squirting. Sherbrooke and George A. At least eight species can squirt an aimed stream of blood from the corners of the eyes for a distance up to 5 feet. Horned Lizard Talk about blood-shot eyes. During an ecological study in the state of Mexico, Mexico, we captured 24 males and 23 females of Phrynosoma orbiculare, of which three males squirted blood during gentle handling. This little lizard can fire blood up to 5 feet from its face, has spiky horns and inflates itself to choke predators. Blood-filled sinuses within the eye sockets of horned lizards squirt blood in self-defense by swelling and rupturing. Blood-squirting from ocular sinuses is a unique defensive behavior widespread in horned lizards. com/41A7tf0more The horned lizard is a North American lizard with a dinosaur-like appearance and a modern weapon. The horned lizard defends itself from predators by shooting blood from its eyes. The blood-squirting behavior of horned lizards has been the subject of various scientific studies designed to better understand this unique defensive adaptation. There are over a dozen The blood-squirting mechanism increases survival after contact with canine predators; [7] the trait may provide an evolutionary advantage. Subscribe: http://bit. When spiny skin isn't enough, the horned lizard repels predators with a truly bizarre tactic: squirting a stream of blood out of its eye. The Greater Short-Horned Lizard has fascinating adaptations, including squirting blood from its eyes to escape danger. See all National Geographic videos: http://video. d6i9, 3awjq, mjpv, jokd, decpn, kk1h, 0audv, wtenes, nhzg, czqjq6,