Thorny devil
A species of Molech, Also known as Thorny lizard, Moloch, Horned lizard Scientific name : Moloch horridus Genus : Molech
Thorny devil, A species of Molech
Also known as:
Thorny lizard, Moloch, Horned lizard
Scientific name: Moloch horridus
Genus: Molech
Content
Description General Info
Photo By M.c.c.1999 , used under CC-BY-SA-4.0 /Cropped and compressed from original 
Description
The thorny devil or thorny dragon (Moloch horridus) is an Australian lizard, also known as the mountain devil, the thorny lizard, or the moloch. This is the sole species of genus Moloch. The thorny dragon grows up to 20Â cm (7.9Â in) in length, and can live for 15 to 20 years. The females are larger than the males. Most of these lizards are coloured in camouflaging shades of desert browns and tans. These colours change from pale...
General Info
Lifespan
15-20 years
Diet
Thorny devil's predominant diet consists of ants, emphasizing its role as a specialized myrmecophage. It has an inclination towards smaller, softer-bodied ant genera and typically avoids larger, tougher species.
Appearance
Thorny devil is a small, spiny lizard with a rounded body and a short, stubby tail. It has rough, pebbly scales primarily in shades of yellowish-brown to crimson red, offering excellent camouflage. This lizard presents conical horns that protrude from its head, and its underside is lighter colored. There are no significant gender differences in appearance.
Behavior
Thorny devil is a solitary and sedentary reptile, spending most of its life in a small home range. Its survival strategy hinges on exceptional camouflage and immobility, appearing as an unassuming part of the landscape to avoid predation. It displays territorial behavior, viewed in aggressive postures against intruders. Notably, it exhibits a unique, inactive foraging style, exploiting ant trails rather than actively hunting.
Population
Stable
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Reptiles Order
Lizards and snakes Family
Dragons Genus
Molech Species
Thorny devil 
AI animal expert in your pocket
Scan QR code to download
.jpg){kind=link}