ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science

Home → Environment → Animals

Thorny devils drink water with their body, by burying themselves in the sand

The thorny devil can't drink water the "normal" way.

Mihai AndreibyMihai Andrei
November 10, 2016
in Animals, News
A A
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterSubmit to Reddit

These creatures are every bit as amazing as they look. Not only have they perfectly adapted to one of the harshest environments on Earth, but they can drink water through their bodies as they’re buried in the sand.

Look at this magnificent fellow. Image credits: Christopher Watson

The thorny devil is an Australian Lizard which grows up to 20 cm (7.9 in) in length, and can live for 15 to 20 years. They’re highly camouflaged with shades of brown that change during hotter and colder days. As if that wasn’t amazing enough, they look like a living cactus, with menacing spikes place all throughout their bodies. It’s exactly those scales that help it survive in the dry, hot environment it inhabits, which makes what I’m about to say really bizarre:

The thorny devil can’t drink water the “normal” way.

Its entire mouth structure is shaped so that it has an easy time munching on ants and is completely unfit for sipping water. This means that even if it encounters a puddle or a source of water, it can’t really drink from it. But there’s a catch: it can drink water with its skin.

The spines are ridged, enabling the animal to collect water from any part of its body. That water is then conveyed to its mouth. So when they want to drink water, capillary channels on the skin squeeze every last bit of water and bring it to the mouth. Most notably, they do this by burying themselves in the sand, gathering the condensed water with their skin.

Philip Withers, a professor of zoology at the University of Western Australia and co-author of the research, said the skin plays a crucial part in the survival of these creatures – but he doesn’t know how it evolved this way.

“Clearly, it’s important for them — this special system has evolved and it’s really quite bizarre,” he said.

When they need a bit of extra water, thorny devils simply bury themselves in the sand and suck the water right out from there.

RelatedPosts

NASA finds more evidence of water plumes on Europa
Chile is on the brink of rationing water in its capital Santiago after more than one decade of drought
Spectacular new images show Martian ancient river systems
Wetter, warmer soils will intensify climate change

“I think it might be more important for the extreme circumstances. You get a little bit of rain and the sand gets wet, and then it’s really important to be able to suck the water out of the sand.

This is also an extremely clever defense mechanism. Not only does the little devil defend from predators with its spikes, but its color also helps it to blend in the surrounding environments and hide from sight. The ecological role of this mechanism is to acquire water from all possible sources, while also staying safe, and overall, it’s extremely successful.

Journal Reference: Cutaneous water collection by a moisture-harvesting lizard, the thorny devil (Moloch horridus).

Tags: sandthorny devilwater

ShareTweetShare
Mihai Andrei

Mihai Andrei

Dr. Andrei Mihai is a geophysicist and founder of ZME Science. He has a Ph.D. in geophysics and archaeology and has completed courses from prestigious universities (with programs ranging from climate and astronomy to chemistry and geology). He is passionate about making research more accessible to everyone and communicating news and features to a broad audience.

Related Posts

Geology

Scientists Used Lasers To Finally Explain How Tiny Dunes Form — And This Might Hold Clues to Other Worlds

byKimberly M. S. Cartier
3 weeks ago
Environment

New Global River Map Is the First to Include River Bifurcations and Canals

byRebecca Owen
2 months ago
Environment

Mexico Will Give U.S. More Water to Avert More Tariffs

byKimberly M. S. Cartier
2 months ago
Geology

Exoplanets may have more water than we thought — but there’s a catch

byMihai Andrei
10 months ago

Recent news

The Story Behind This Female Pharaoh’s Broken Statues Is Way Weirder Than We Thought

July 1, 2025

China Resurrected an Abandoned Soviet ‘Sea Monster’ That’s Part Airplane, Part Hovercraft

June 30, 2025
great white shark

This Shark Expert Has Spent Decades Studying Attacks and Says We’ve Been Afraid for the Wrong Reasons

June 30, 2025
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Editorial Policy
  • Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
  • How we review products
  • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Science News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Space
  • Future
  • Features
    • Natural Sciences
    • Physics
      • Matter and Energy
      • Quantum Mechanics
      • Thermodynamics
    • Chemistry
      • Periodic Table
      • Applied Chemistry
      • Materials
      • Physical Chemistry
    • Biology
      • Anatomy
      • Biochemistry
      • Ecology
      • Genetics
      • Microbiology
      • Plants and Fungi
    • Geology and Paleontology
      • Planet Earth
      • Earth Dynamics
      • Rocks and Minerals
      • Volcanoes
      • Dinosaurs
      • Fossils
    • Animals
      • Mammals
      • Birds
      • Fish
      • Amphibians
      • Reptiles
      • Invertebrates
      • Pets
      • Conservation
      • Animal facts
    • Climate and Weather
      • Climate change
      • Weather and atmosphere
    • Health
      • Drugs
      • Diseases and Conditions
      • Human Body
      • Mind and Brain
      • Food and Nutrition
      • Wellness
    • History and Humanities
      • Anthropology
      • Archaeology
      • History
      • Economics
      • People
      • Sociology
    • Space & Astronomy
      • The Solar System
      • Sun
      • The Moon
      • Planets
      • Asteroids, meteors & comets
      • Astronomy
      • Astrophysics
      • Cosmology
      • Exoplanets & Alien Life
      • Spaceflight and Exploration
    • Technology
      • Computer Science & IT
      • Engineering
      • Inventions
      • Sustainability
      • Renewable Energy
      • Green Living
    • Culture
    • Resources
  • Videos
  • Reviews
  • About Us
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Editorial policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.