ANIMALS WITH ODD SURVIVAL ADAPTIONS

SHOOTING BLOOD

When the Texas Horned Lizard feels threatened it literally shoots

blood out of its eyeballs.

DIRTY MOUTHS

The mouth of a wild Komodo dragon is so filthy that many times it

will bite its prey and then follow it around until it dies from the

resulting infection. In fact, scientists aren’t entirely sure how wild

dragons survive with so much bacteria on their tongues.

SHOCK WAVES

The pistol shrimp can snap its claw so quickly that it creates a

pressure wave in the surrounding water. The resulting bang is louder

than a jet engine and hotter than the surface of the sun.

BREAKING BONES

The hairy frog, a Central American species, cracks its own toe bones

and shoves them through its feet to create sharp claws

whenever it feels threatened.

RIB SPIKES

The hairy frog isn’t the only creature that uses its own bones as

weapons. The Spanish ribbed newt shoves its ribs through its chest

to ward off predators. Fortunately for them, newts are known

for quick healing skin.

SELF DESTRUCTION

A certain species of French Guinea termite accumulates toxins in a

gland on its back over the course of its life. Eventually, should the

colony come under attack, the older termites that are stuffed with

toxins will blow themselves up near the attackers.

SLIME ATTACK

Hagfish are eel shaped marine animals that release a gooey slimy

substance whenever they come under attack. Many times the

substance gets into the gills of the predator and

chokes them to death.

THROWING YOUR ORGANS

Sea cucumbers don’t do much besides sit on the ocean floor,

but should you try to eat one you might get a mouth full of its organs.

Apparently their insides are toxic and foul tasting so whenever they

are attacked they simply expel them onto the predator.

PLAYING DEAD

Everyone knows opossums play dead but did you know that the act

is completely involuntary and only brought on by intense fear?

While unconscious they also release a foul smelling odour

that adds to the effect.