FACTS ABOUT

GROSS ANIMAL DEFENCES

36 Horned lizard

When faced with a predatory threat, horned lizards will intentionally rupture thin blood vessels surrounding the eyes, firing a stream of foultasting blood almost a metre towards their adversaries. 37 Hagfish

Playing with slime might seem like a fun pastime, but for the hagfish it’s the best defence against predators. When threatened these eel-like invertebrates release a gelatinous slime into the water in the hope of smothering the gills of approaching fish.

38 Spanish ribbed newt

At first glance this smooth-bodied newt might appear to be lacking in the natural defence department. However, when under attack this newt will puff out its body so fiercely the poisonous spines of its ribs will puncture its own skin as defensive barbs.

39 Sea cucumber

Some species of sea cucumber have come up with an unusual technique for self preservation: if you can’t fight them off, simply eject your vital organs from your body and grow new ones, leaving the predator to feast on the old organs.

40 Exploding ants

When all else fails, if a predator’s going to take you down, why not take them down with you. This is the attitude of the exploding ants in Borneo. When salvation is out of sight, these ants erupt their own bodies with a curry-scented toxin, fatal to invading predators.