RAIN-DRINKING BEHAVIORS OF THE AUSTRALIAN THORNY DEVIL (SAURIA, AGAMIDAE)

During natural and simulated rainfall, Moloch horridus used the cutane ous surface of its integument as a water-harvesting system to capture rain water for drinking. Circumstantial behavioral evidence, in combin ation with experimental studies (Withers, 1993), suggests that the cap illary, interscalar, water-transport system of Moloch is also used to absorb water for drinking from rain-moistened substrates. Lizards rub their venters against wet substrates and dig sand onto their backs. Th is is a previously unreported behavior for water acquisition by lizard s inhabiting arid regions. No stereotypic behavioral stance for rain h arvesting, as seen in Phrynocephalus helioscopus and Phrynosoma cornut um, was observed in Moloch horridus.