You probably haven’t seen this curious critter – unless you spend a lot of time in the Australian desert, that is! Get ready to learn all about the Thorny Dragon, the spikiest lizard in all of Australia! We’ll clarify upfront that they don’t actually breathe fire (boo), but they can do so many other cool things that it doesn’t matter! These little guys (they’re about 20cm long) are full of surprises, and you’re about to learn them all! And when you’re done, be sure to stick around for more scaly facts! Learn some facts about komodo dragons! Or dinosaurs! Or how about some facts about mythical dragons?

1. They live in Australia

Thorny dragons can only be found in Australia, and more specifically in the very arid parts in the West and East of the country. They live in dry deserts, including parts of the outback that are very hostile to human life.

2. They’re also called thorny devils

These spiny beasts are known by several different names. They’re also called mountain devils, thorny lizards, and molochs. They’re the only species in the moloch genus, but scientists think there may be more undiscovered species out there in the Australian wilderness!

3. They’re harmless…

The thorny dragon’s Latin name is Moloch horridus – but don’t let that fool you! They’re harmless to humans. Horridus actually means bristly, a reference to its thorny spines. They definitely wouldn’t hurt a human, though it’s probably not a good idea to grab one.  

4. …unless you’re an ant!

They only eat ants and termites, and there’s actually a term for animals who do this this – obligate myrmecophagous! Thorny dragons utilise the “sit and wait” technique of catching food, where they sit in a spot near an ant trail and let their prey come to them! They have sticky tongues that are perfect for lapping up ants. Thorny dragons can eat thousands of ants in one day, though about 750 is the average. This is one reason why they don’t make very good pets – unless you have an anthill in your garden, it’s unlikely you’ll be able to supply enough ants for them.

5. They have a fake head!

Thorny dragons engage in a behaviour known as a “threat display”. This is when an animal does something to make itself seem more dangerous to predators, like a butterfly opening its wings to show patterns that look like eyes. The thorny dragon has a couple of tricks up its spiky sleeve, and the most extraordinary one is its “extra head”! It’s the strange ball-like shape on the back of its neck. When they meet a predator (like a bird or a goanna), they tuck their real heads between their front legs, leaving the fake head exposed.

6. They’re thorny to ward off predators

Those thorns are another important part of the thorny dragon’s defence system. They make it difficult for predators to touch or grab the dragon (hence why it’s not a good idea to pick one up!), but they also make it very difficult for predators to swallow it. Seriously, look at those spikes and try to imagine it. Brrrrr.

7. They can get bigger

And now for the third part of the thorny dragon’s defence! When faced with a threat, they can fill their chests with air and make themselves bigger, which not only makes them seem more intimidating, but also makes them even more difficult to swallow. Making themselves look bigger to ward off threats is actually something a lot of animals do, and even humans are advised to do it when faced with black bears!

8. Its tail is an extra defence system

You thought we were done with all the ways the thorny dragon can defend itself? Think again! That long tail is used to help the dragon balance, which is useful most of the time, but especially when faced with predators. They anchor their tail to the ground like a fifth limb, making it hard for predators to tip the dragon over. Thorny dragons have a very stiff stance, which is another reason for the horridus part of their Latin name.

9. They’re camouflaged

and we’re STILL NOT DONE! Thorny dragons have the special ability to blend into their environments with their amazing colour-changing skin. They are ectothermic, which means that their skin changes colour depending on the temperature. They will always blend into their habitat, turning warmer colours in hot weather and cooler colours when it gets cold. They will even change colour over the course of one day, turning lighter as the sun reaches its peak at midday.

10. They don’t like extreme temperatures

Despite their ability to blend in so well with any temperature, thorny dragons would prefer to avoid extreme heat and extreme cold. During the hottest time of the year (January and February in Australia) and the coldest (June and July), they scurry away into underground burrows. If you want to spot one in the wild, it’s best to visit in the Australian spring or autumn.

11. They have a silly walk

You might have to look up a video to believe this but trust us! A defining feature of the thorny dragon is their strange way of walking. They walk in slow, jerky movements with their tail lifted, bobbing backwards and forwards as they go. This is sometimes called a stutter walk, and it’s yet ANOTHER defence mechanism – it confuses predators!

12. They can run fast

Thorny dragons can move very quickly across the dry desert when they want to! They’ve been observed hitting speeds of 60kmh (37 mph). For comparison, Usain Bolt’s top speed is 27.8mph!

13. They can drink water through their feet

It’s hard to get water in a place as dry as the Australian desert, so desert animals are specially adapted for it. The thorny dragon’s method of drinking is truly a masterwork of engineering. It will gather moisture from morning dew or from rainfall on any part of its body, and use grooves in that amazing thorny skin to channel the water to its mouth! When the weather is very dry, thorny dragons will also bury themselves in the sand to absorb any moisture they can.

14. Their Latin name comes from a sinister place

Horridus might just mean “bristly”, but moloch is another matter! The name is a reference to a deity in the Hebrew Bible who is a god of human sacrifice! Moloch famously appeared in English writer John Milton’s epic 1667 poem Paradise Lost as a follower of the Devil, and it’s thought that this is where the name for the lizard species came from. It’s easy to see why you might think they’re hellish creatures – look at those terrifying spines! But once again, they’re really nothing to worry about – there are far more dangerous animals in Australia!

15. They’re NOT endangered!

It’s always nice to read about an animal species that isn’t under threat, and thankfully thorny dragons are one of them! They are listed as “Least Concern” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, which means there’s a stable and healthy number of them in the wild. This isn’t to say there aren’t threats – they depend on ants, so any loss in ant populations would mean a decline in thorny dragons, too. They’re also at risk of being run over because they like to sunbathe on roads – so, if you find yourself on a road trip in Australia’s Great Sandy Desert, keep an eye out!