Question 1

True or false: The Thorny Devil's spines are venomous and can inject poison into attackers.

Accepted Answer

False. The spines are hard, sharp, and for defense, but completely non-venomous—no toxin glands exist.

Question 2

True or false: Thorny devils eat only ants, consuming thousands in a single day.

Accepted Answer

True. Their diet is almost exclusively small black ants, and they can eat up to 2,500 ants per meal.

Question 3

True or false: Thorny devils can inflate their bodies to look larger when threatened.

Accepted Answer

True. When threatened, thorny devils swallow air to puff up, making their bodies appear larger and harder to swallow. This is a verified defensive behavior.

Question 4

True or false: Thorny devils drink water by absorbing it through their skin directly.

Accepted Answer

False. They drink via capillary action—channels between spines channel water to their mouth, not through skin absorption.

Question 5

True or false: The thorny devil can squirt blood from its eyes to deter predators.

Accepted Answer

False. False. The horned lizard, not the thorny devil, is known for squirting blood from its eyes. Thorny devils rely on camouflage, spiny armor, and a false head to deter predators.

Question 6

True or false: Female thorny devils lay eggs in underground burrows during winter.

Accepted Answer

False. They lay eggs in spring or summer (October–December) in shallow burrows, not during winter.

Question 7

True or false: The Thorny Devil collects dew on its back and siphons it to its mouth using grooves between spines.

Accepted Answer

True. The Thorny Devil's skin has tiny grooves that use capillary action to channel dew and rainwater directly to its mouth.

Question 8

True or false: Thorny devils are capable of changing color to blend into their surroundings.

Accepted Answer

True. They shift from pale yellow to dark brown depending on temperature and light, aiding camouflage.

Thorny Devil Trivia Questions