#Horned lizards

[antiqueanimals]

Animal Coloration: An Account of the Principal Facts and Theories Relating to the Colors and Markings of Animals. Written by Frank E. Beddard. 1895.

Internet Archive

[uncharismatic-fauna]

Uncharismatic Fact of the Day

I don't know about you, but I hate it when I get things in my eyes-- especially when it's blood. Unfortunately, that's exactly how horned lizards defend themselves: by squirting blood from its eyes! At least four species have been documented exhibiting this mechanism, which is caused by rupturing blood vessels around the eyes. As if that weren't bad enough, the blood is also mixed with a foul-tasting liquid that deters predators.

(Image: a Texas horned lizard (Phrynosoma cornutum) by Todd Pierson)

[daily-fun-animal-facts]

I SEEK THE FORBIDDEN FACTS

Unsure what "the forbidden facts" are but ill tell you some of the ones I decided not to post due to nature and general fucked-ness of them (In my opinion but everyone is different)

Dolphins are freaks and masturbate using beheaded fish.

When a female Ferret goes in to heat their bodies produce a high amount of the hormone 'oestrogen' which will continue to be produced en masse until she has mated. Having such high quantities of oestrogen for a prolonged period of will eventually result in Aplastic Anaemia, which is caused by the damage sustained by the bone marrow and blood cells by the high levels of the hormone. So in short she will die a pretty painful death.

At least eight species of horned lizard (Phrynosoma) can aim and squirt blood from their eyes. They restrict the blood flow to their head until the pressure builds up, rupturing the vessels in their eyelids. They do this as a defense mechanism to confuse their predators.

Cymothoa exigua, also known as the tongue-eating louse, is a parasite that latches onto a fish’s tongue and feeds on the blood vessels. Eventually, the tongue falls off and the parasite attaches itself to what’s left and becomes the fish's new tongue.

some of those are actually kinda cool to me, but as you can tell, 2 of them are uh.. yeah. Anywho, I hope this is what you were asking for, if you want more animal facts to use against your enemies, just let me know ;)

but no knowledge is, or should be, forbidden. knowledge is meant to be shared :)

[speakingofdoorknobs]

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[warlockofagnesi]

idk who needs to hear this but horned lizards are really cute, actually

[babylove007]

These get bigger, and they are still so cute o o o These are the only reptiles I will ever have

oh my god enhance

[herpsandbirds]

[ask-the-pioneer]

Am lizard... am bring food... want... hunt with... creature... can... creature hunt... with... me?...

[bedupolker]

theyre the same size

[fear-the-hippo]

*bleeds on you to discourage predation*

[luminal-inversion]

ChatGPT on Weaponized Feces

Q: Are there any animals including insects that use their feces as a weapon?

A: Yes, there are several animals, including insects, that use their feces as a weapon to defend themselves or capture prey. Here are a few examples:

Bombardier beetles: These insects can shoot a boiling hot, noxious chemical spray made from their feces at predators.

Archerfish: These fish can shoot jets of water at insects above the water surface to knock them down, and they often use their feces as part of their shooting mechanism.

Dung beetles: These insects use their feces to construct balls of dung, which they then roll away as a food source or to lay eggs in.

Capuchin monkeys: These primates have been observed throwing their feces at predators or other monkeys as a form of defense or aggression.

Horned lizards: These reptiles can shoot a stream of blood from their eyes to deter predators, and their feces may be used as a secondary line of defense.

These are just a few examples of animals that use their feces as a weapon. There are likely many more in the animal kingdom that have not been studied or observed in detail.

Q: What are some other examples?

A: Sure, here are some more examples of animals that use their feces as a weapon:

Wombats: These Australian marsupials have a unique digestive system that produces cube-shaped feces. They use these feces as territorial markers and to communicate with other wombats.

Sloths: These slow-moving mammals are known to defecate once a week, and when they do, they climb down to the ground to do so. This behavior is thought to be a defense mechanism to protect them from predators.

Hippos: These large African mammals are known to use their tails to spread their feces around as a way of marking their territory and asserting dominance.

Penguins: Some species of penguins have been observed throwing their feces at each other during territorial disputes.

Spitting spiders: These spiders are able to eject a sticky, glue-like substance mixed with their feces at prey or predators as a means of defense.

Earwigs: These insects have a gland in their abdomen that produces a foul-smelling liquid mixed with their feces that they use as a defense mechanism.

These are just a few more examples of animals that use their feces in various ways as a weapon or defense mechanism. (Q: In your response above about archerfish you mention feces. What is your source for that information?

A: I apologize for the error in my previous response. After reviewing my training data, I did not find any information indicating that archerfish use their feces as part of their shooting mechanism. It seems that I provided incorrect information in my previous answer.

Archerfish are known for their ability to shoot jets of water at insects above the water surface to knock them down and capture them as prey. They have a specialized mouth structure that allows them to form a groove in their tongue to create a "barrel" through which they can shoot the water.

Once again, I apologize for the mistake and any confusion caused. Thank you for bringing this to my attention.)

[antiqueanimals]

Texas horned lizard (Phrynosoma cornutum)

Reptiles and Amphibians of the World. Written by Hans Hvass. Illustrated by Wilhelm Eigener. Originally published in 1958.

Internet Archive

[hannahorca]

My next enamel pin Kickstarter: Reptile Mutations launches tomorrow!

What other reptiles would you like to see?

You can find the campaign page here:

[blitzos-horse-ranch]

I'm increasingly perplexed by why Cash (and by extension Blitzø ) has spikes/spines when AFAIK no other imp does (please correct me if Im wrong!!)

He also has these massive claws and Barbie seems to have gotten that gene.

So what's this dudes deal? It's such a dumb detail to agonize over but I wanna KNOW WHYY, or at least see other imps with this shit going on lmao.

bc it's kind of sexy (ON BLITZØ AND BARBIE. ONLY BLITZØ AND BARBIE I SWEAR 😭)

[weezord-leezords]

Those days when you just go “Eh close enough”

Via

[textless]

First horned toad of the season.

Cochise County, Arizona, April 2024.