The short-horned lizard is a one-reptile wrecking crew with a bizarre self-defense strategy. When defending its own life, this lizard squirts blood from the thin blood vessels around its eyes that rupture under pressure.
The ominous squirting blood emanates from ducts in the corners of their eyes and can travel a distance of up to three feet. It’s meant to confuse would-be predators, but also contains a chemical that is noxious to dogs, wolves, and coyotes.
