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Thorny Devil (Moloch horridus) is an Australian lizard. It is also known as the Thorny Dragon, Mountain Devil, Thorny Lizard, or the Moloch and is the sole species of genus Moloch. It grows up to 20 cm (8 in) in length and can live up to 20 years, coloured in camouflaging shades of desert browns and tans; these change from pale colours when warm to darker colours when cold. The species is entirely covered with conical spines that are mostly uncalcified. It also features a spiny "false-head" on the back of the neck, the animal presents this to a potential predator by dipping its real head. Females are larger than males. The Thorny Devil's body is ridged in structure, and enables the animal to collect water from any part of its body, which is then channelled to the mouth. The thorny devils is covered in hard, somewhat sharp spines to dissuade predators by making it difficult to swallow. It also has a false head on its back: when it feels threatened it lowers its head between its front legs, and only the false head is visible. An intimidating array of spikes cover the entire upper side of the body, these thorny scales are a defense against predators. Camouflage and deception may also be used to evade predation. It has an unusual gait, involving freezing and rocking, as it slowly moves in search of its preferred diet.The names of this dragon are given for its appearance, two large horned scales on the head complete the allusion to a devil. The species was described by John Edward Gray in 1841. While the species is the only one contained by the genus Moloch, taxonomists believe that another species may yet be described.[1] The thorny devil is only distantly related to the morphologically similar North American horned lizards of the genus Phrynosoma, and is more an example of convergent evolution. It inhabits arid scrub and desert over most of central Australia. In particular, it inhabits spinifex (triodia) sandplain and sandridge desert within the interior and mallee belt. Its distribution largely coincides more with the distribution of sandy and sandy loam soils than with a particular climate in western Australia(Pianka and Pianka 1970).

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14y ago
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11y ago

The average life span of the thorny devil is around 15 years.

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10y ago

In protective captivity, away from predators and the danger of being run over by cars, thorny devils may live to 20 years. In the wild, it is generally up to 15 years.

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11y ago

Thorny Devils can live up to 20 years.

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11y ago

They usually live 12-20 years in nature

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Q: How old do thorny devils get?
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Related questions

What do the thorny devils spikes feel like?

Thorny devils' spikes are sharp.


How long can thorny devils get?

Thorny devils average less than 20cm in length.


Do thorny devils make good pets?

Thorny devils can be good pets. It really depends on who you are.


What age do thorny devils reproduce?

Although Thorny devils only reach maturity when they are five or six years old, they are able to start mating at around three years of age.


Are thorny devils poisonous?

no


Can thorny devils climb cactuses?

No Thorny devils cannot climb cactuses. Incidentally, cacti are not even native to Australia, which is the natural environment of the thorny devil.


What color are thorny devils?

Thorny devils are essentially varying patchy shades of brown and gold, which enables them to blend in with their desert surroundings. Newly hatched baby thorny devils tend towards black in colour.


On what continent is the thorny devil found?

Thorny devils occur in Australia.


What are the thorny devils natural enemies?

What animals are enemies to the thorny devil


How many nipples does a thorny devil have?

Thorny devils are not mammals: they do not have nipples.


How does thorny devils adapt to their envirerment?

how does an thorny devil adapt to its envierment


What can humans to protect the thorny devils habitat?

It damage the thorny devil.