Friday Fact 1 May 2009

Let your hair down - it's Friday!

Did you know that some species of horned lizards shoot blood out of their eyes as a defense mechanism?

From Wikipedia:

At least four species [of horned lizards] are also able to squirt an aimed stream of blood from the corners of the eyes for a distance of up to 5 feet. They do this by restricting the blood flow leaving the head, thereby increasing blood pressure and rupturing tiny vessels around the eyelids. This not only confuses predators, but also the blood tastes foul to canine and feline predators. It appears to have no effect against predatory birds.

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