Dancing with the Devil
Habitat
Moloch horridus, otherwise known as the Thorny Devil or Thorny Dragon, is only found in the deserts of Australia. They live on the sand plain and sand ridge parts of the desert and areas where there is sandy soil. The Thorny Devil is not found in stony country or mountain slopes (Pianka and Pianka, 1970), this may be because of the tightly packed soil associated with these areas and it makes it harder for the Thorny Devil to make burrows. Thorny Devils are semi-nomadic during the year. They show nomadic behavior by following ant activity, and non-nomadic behavior by mating patterns and making burrows. (Pianka, et al., 1998).
The Moloch horridus is very specialized for its dry and arid habitat. The spikey scales on its body not only provide it with a defense, but also help it collect water for conduction through its skin. They are also made out of Keratin which is a protein that helps repel and hold water in. (Withers, 1993). The Thorny Devil can also raise or lower its body temperature by changing its contact with the ground. (Pianka and Pianka, 1970). It also can change its color very rapidly if a predator is near. When the Thorny Devil is warm and active it will be a light yellow or red, and when it is in danger or inactive it will be a dark olive drab. (Pianka, 2009). Some other organisms that live in this habitat are other lizards, mammals, and birds including the Monitor Lizard, Bearded dragon, Red Kangaroo, Narrow-banded Sand Swimmer, Spinifex Hopping-mouse, Camel, Whistling Kite, Bandy-bandy and the Dingo.
Here is a map of where the Thorny Devil can be found in Australia.
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Moloch horridus