settecorvi: (Default)
settecorvi ([personal profile] settecorvi) wrote2009-08-28 07:59 am
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Science!

One amphibian has evolved a bizarre and gruesome defence mechanism to protect itself against predators. When attacked, the Spanish ribbed newt pushes out its ribs until they pierce through its body, exposing a row of bones that act like poisonous barbs. The bones must break through the newt's body wall every time the amphibian evokes the defence response.