# Thorny Devil (*Moloch horridus*)

> The thorny devil (Moloch horridus) is a tiny, spine-covered Australian desert lizard that drinks by channelling dew and rain along skin grooves to the corner of the mouth. It eats almost nothing but ants, weighs about 50 g, and is listed Least Concern across arid Western and Central Australia.

- **Category:** Reptile
- **Conservation status (IUCN):** Least Concern
- **Range:** Arid interior of Western and Central Australia.
- **Canonical page:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/thorny-devil/
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16

## Scientific classification

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Chordata
- **Class:** Reptilia
- **Order:** Squamata
- **Family:** Agamidae
- **Genus:** Moloch

## Facts at a glance

| Attribute | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Scientific name | Moloch horridus |
| Diet | Ants |
| Habitat | Spinifex desert and sandy scrub |
| Lifespan | Around 15 years in the wild (varies by population and captivity). |
| Weight | About 0.05 kg typical adult mass (sex and region vary). |
| Top speed | Up to roughly 3 km/h when moving at speed. |
| Conservation status | Least Concern (IUCN) |

## Skin that drinks

Capillary grooves between scales move water from any part of the body to the mouth — a desert adaptation for sipping dew and brief rain. A false head on the neck may deflect predator bites.

## Ants, ants, ants

Diet is almost exclusively ants, often picked singly with a sticky tongue as the lizard sits by foraging trails. Thousands may be eaten in a day.

## Spinifex deserts

Arid interior of Western and Central Australia on sandy scrub and spinifex plains. Colour shifts subtly between yellows and browns with temperature and background.

## Desert specialist still widespread

Least Concern, though local impacts from feral predators and off-road disturbance occur. They are fully protected from collection in Australian states.

## Frequently asked questions

### How do thorny devils drink without ponds?

Skin channels move dew and rainwater by capillary action to the mouth.

### What do thorny devils eat?

Almost exclusively ants.

### Why do thorny devils have a lump on the neck?

The "false head" may encourage predators to strike a less vulnerable spot while the real head is tucked.

### Are thorny devils venomous?

No — spines are defensive, not venomous for the thorny devil.

### Where do thorny devils live?

Arid Western and Central Australia in sandy spinifex country. Native range summary: Arid interior of Western and Central Australia.

---
Source: Global Animal Guide (https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/thorny-devil/). Licensed CC BY-NC 4.0 — free for non-commercial reuse with attribution.