A horned toad isn't actually a toad at all: it's a small, spiky lizard that lives in the deserts and dry areas of North America. These remarkable creatures have flat, round bodies covered in sharp spines, making them look like tiny dinosaurs or living pincushions. The spines are especially prominent around their heads, forming a crown of horns that gives them their misleading name.

Horned toads (also called horned lizards) have evolved amazing defenses against predators. When threatened, they can puff up their bodies to look bigger and more difficult to swallow. Some species can even squirt blood from the corners of their eyes as a last resort, which is startling enough to make most predators lose their appetite. They mostly eat ants and other small insects, using their sticky tongues to catch prey.

The “toad” part of their name comes from their toad-like shape: squat, flat, and bumpy. But unlike real toads, which are amphibians that need to stay moist, horned toads are reptiles perfectly adapted to hot, dry climates. They're increasingly rare due to habitat loss and the decline of harvester ants, their favorite food.