How do thorny devil lizards drink from their backs?

Answer 1

the thorny devil has spines and an impermeable skin to save all water, it also secretes urine that has had all the water taken out by a special function in the liver. the water is mainly absorbed through the skin and when its in its burrow the walls trap the water lost by respiration and the devil can then collect this water again

Answer 2

The Thorny Devil's body is covered in a system of tiny groove like channels that run between its scales. All the channels run to the corners of the lizards mouth. These channels are capable of absorbing water through a capillary action (similar to that of a straw in water - some of the water will rise up the straw above the water level and this is called capillary action). The Thorny devil can not only collect rain in this way, but also drops of dew from the vegetation it moves though. Once the water is in the capillary system, the lizard simply needs move the water to its mouth by gulping.

Thorny Devil also do not need much water as their skin is totally impervious. This means that no water is lost though the skin though actions such as sweating.

Answer 3

The thorny devil obtains water by either of two main methods.

It has thorns/spikes on its back that 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.

Answer 4

Its like when they sunbath. They can absorb it. :)

Answer 5

Some lizards wait for rain to drink. some will lap dew in the morning, others get water from their food and others just go into a summer hibernation (estivation) until rains come.

Answer 6

dew.