Animals That Spit Acid

INTERESTING ANIMALS

The Glands of the Devil-Rider Stick Insect

This stick insect can propel chemical compounds called terpenes from glands on its metathorax, on its back near the third pair of legs. The chemical produces an intense burning sensation when it encounters a predator's eyes or mouth.

INTERESTING ANIMALS

Avoid the "Splash Zone" of the Turkey Vulture

The American turkey vulture utilizes a similar strategy. If a predator approaches a nest, adult birds vomit stomach contents in a projectile manner. Not only is this potion acidic, but it may contain bacteria and foul- smelling partially-digested carrion.

INTERESTING ANIMALS

Acidic Vomit of the Eurasian Roller

A small bird called the Eurasian roller loves to eat grasshoppers. When threatened, the grasshopper releases chemicals derived from the plants they eat in hopes of leaving a bad taste in the bird's mouth. That may work for some birds, but not the roller.

INTERESTING ANIMALS

Tobacco Hornworm: Toxic Caterpillar Breath

The tobacco hornworm caterpillar consumes the toxic tobacco plant. It then secretes the toxins, including nicotine, through its skin in order to scare away predators. Researchers call this "defensive halitosis," or bad breath.

INTERESTING ANIMALS

Fulmar Petrel: The Fulmar's Oily Acid

The Fulmar petrel, a type of seabird, extracts an orange oily substance from its food. When threatened, it can spit the oil up to six feet. This substance mats feathers and eats away at their waterproofing oils.

INTERESTING ANIMALS

The Venom of Spitting Cobras

There are twelve species of spitting cobras. Unlike other snakes that use needle-like fangs to inject their venom, spitting cobras use their fangs to spray it. The snakes do this by squeezing the muscles around the venom glands.

INTERESTING ANIMALS

Do Camels Spit Acid?

Camels spitting on someone they don't like is common in comedy. It is also a real defense they utilize when another animal gets too close. What the camel spits is mostly vomit, which includes digestive acids from the stomach.

INTERESTING ANIMALS

The Whip-Scorpion's Weapon

Whip scorpions are arachnids. They have claws like scorpions, but they lack a stinging tail or venomous fangs. Instead, spray an acid that smells like vinegar - but that is 20 times stronger than vinegar from two "turrets" on the abdomen.

INTERESTING ANIMALS

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