Horned lizards defend themselves against predators by violently squirting a targeted stream of foul-tasting blood directly out of their eyes.

A closer look

Horned lizards defend themselves against predators by violently squirting a targeted stream of foul-tasting blood directly out of their eyes. When threatened by coyotes or bobcats, the lizard intentionally restricts the blood flow leaving its head, increasing the cranial pressure until the tiny blood vessels in the corners of its eyes literally explode. This pressurized crimson laser can shoot up to five feet, thoroughly confusing and disgusting the attacker long enough for the lizard to scurry away into the desert brush. It is a wonderfully dramatic defense mechanism, highlighting that when camouflage fails, the next logical evolutionary step is to weaponize your own ocular hemorrhaging to ruin a coyote's lunch