Species the Greater Short-Horned Lizard Interacts With
There are many different species in which the Greater Short-Horned Lizard interacts with. Some of these interactions can be identified as competition, predation, symbiotic relationships or parasitic relationships.
1) Ants
2) Wolfs, Dogs and Coyotes
2) Wolfs, Dogs and Coyotes
Ants
The relationship between ants and the Greater Short- Horned Lizard is predation (Horned Toads, 2015). This is because ants are the primary food source for the lizard.
Ants have an affect on the size of the Greater Short-Horned Lizard population because some types of ants are harmful to the Greater Short- Horned Lizard, these ants are called fire ants (Horned Toads, 2015). Fire ants resemble a normal ant, however when they are ingested, they are harmful to a creature. Therefore, if the lizard mistakes the fire ant for a regular ant and eats it, this could make the lizard sick or could possibly result in death.
Additionally, with the irradiation of ants because of humans (humans view ants as pests) the Greater Short-Horned Lizard loses their primary source of food (Horned Toad, 2015).
Ants have an affect on the size of the Greater Short-Horned Lizard population because some types of ants are harmful to the Greater Short- Horned Lizard, these ants are called fire ants (Horned Toads, 2015). Fire ants resemble a normal ant, however when they are ingested, they are harmful to a creature. Therefore, if the lizard mistakes the fire ant for a regular ant and eats it, this could make the lizard sick or could possibly result in death.
Additionally, with the irradiation of ants because of humans (humans view ants as pests) the Greater Short-Horned Lizard loses their primary source of food (Horned Toad, 2015).
http://i.ytimg.com/vi/1H_9DlvHlJU/maxresdefault.jpg https://aneyefortexas.wordpress.com/page/4/ https://luthrikb.wordpress.com/2013/09/12/food-web-and-carbon-and-nitrogen-cycles/
Wolfs, Dogs and Coyotes
The relationship between wolfs, coyotes, dogs and he Greater Short-Horned Lizard is predation (Horned Toads, 2015). This is because wolfs, coyotes and dogs prey and hunt the Greater Short- Horned Lizard.
Since the lizard is not the primary food source for dogs, wolfs and coyotes, there are many dogs, wolfs and coyotes around that threaten the lizard. Therefore, the lizard must be alert and watching for these predators because there are many more of them, than there is of the lizard.
Defense Mechanisms: Since the Greater Short-Horned Lizard has many predators, they have developed many defense mechanisms. These include their natural ability to camouflage, inflating themselves and shooting blood from their eyes.
Naturally, the Greater Short-Horned Lizard blends in with their environment as they can posses either a yellowish, reddish brown or gray colour (Horned Toad, 2015).
The greater Short-Horned Lizard is able to inflate themselves to be twice their size as a way to make them look more threatening to other organisms (Horned Toads, 2015). When the lizard inflates itself it looks like a spiky balloon, because of the short spikes they posses on their body.
As a final defense mechanism, this species is able to squirt blood from their eyes. The blood comes from ducts in the corners of their eyes and can travel a distance of up to three feet (one meter). This defense mechanism is used to confuse predators, however it also contains a chemical that is noxious to dogs, wolves, and coyotes.
Since the lizard is not the primary food source for dogs, wolfs and coyotes, there are many dogs, wolfs and coyotes around that threaten the lizard. Therefore, the lizard must be alert and watching for these predators because there are many more of them, than there is of the lizard.
Defense Mechanisms: Since the Greater Short-Horned Lizard has many predators, they have developed many defense mechanisms. These include their natural ability to camouflage, inflating themselves and shooting blood from their eyes.
Naturally, the Greater Short-Horned Lizard blends in with their environment as they can posses either a yellowish, reddish brown or gray colour (Horned Toad, 2015).
The greater Short-Horned Lizard is able to inflate themselves to be twice their size as a way to make them look more threatening to other organisms (Horned Toads, 2015). When the lizard inflates itself it looks like a spiky balloon, because of the short spikes they posses on their body.
As a final defense mechanism, this species is able to squirt blood from their eyes. The blood comes from ducts in the corners of their eyes and can travel a distance of up to three feet (one meter). This defense mechanism is used to confuse predators, however it also contains a chemical that is noxious to dogs, wolves, and coyotes.