A Conversation for The Quite Interesting Society
QI ~ Self Defense
McKay The Disorganised Started conversation Jan 3, 2009
Lets open my account for 2009. When defending yourself from predators anything goes, and nature has shown considerable ingenuity in providing creatures with ways of defending themselves.
Some species of horned lizard have developed a unique way of defending themselves.
Some may call it disgusting, but I thought it was intersting.
What is it ?
QI ~ Self Defense
minichessemouse - Ahoy there me barnacle! Posted Jan 3, 2009
poisonous excretions of some form?
mini
QI ~ Self Defense
Taff Agent of kaos Posted Jan 3, 2009
normal lizzards can "drop" their tail as an escape mecanism if caught by it
do horned lizzards vomit their stomach contents toward an agressor
QI ~ Self Defense
McKay The Disorganised Posted Jan 3, 2009
Good Grief !
3 replies in a minute !
The Regal Horned Lizard lives in North America and is eaten by coyotes.
It's favoured defense is stand very still and rely upon camouflage. When this fails it pushes it's side into the sand making it very hard for a creature to get it's jaw around the lizard.
However it has a third option, that is particularly successful against feline predators, but also works on coyotes. They restrict the flow of blood out of their head, which causes their head to swell, and ruptures small blood vessels in their eyes - they can then squirt this unpleasant smelling gore into the faces of predators.
They have been recorded shooting this 5 feet !
3 points for ReddyFreddy.
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QI ~ Self Defense
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