Why they're awesome: Greater short-horned lizards have a squat, flat shape and short snouts, which makes them look more like amphibians than reptiles — hence the nickname "horny toads." But these ...

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. I write about biodiversity and the hidden quirks of the natural world.

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This column has covered a variety of topics over its 40-year history, from praying mantises having an ear between their hind legs to the short-horned lizard’s ability to shoot blood out of its eyes.

This little lizard can fire blood up to 5 feet from its face, has spiky horns and inflates itself to choke predators. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.