David Weidman Jr., age 9, of Mesa, Ariz., for his question:

CAN A HORNED TOAD REALLY SQUIRT BLOOD FROM ITS EYES?

The horned toad isn't a toad at all. He's a small insect eating lizard that is common in the United States Southwest and in Mexico. The horned toads have several ways of defending themselves. One special defense is having blood shoot from the eyes.

In the excitement of defending itself from enemies, the horned toad's blood pressure in the head increases and sometimes causes blood vessels in the eyelid to burst. This defense is said to drive off predators, such as dogs and cats.

Another defense is the disappearing act. They run swiftly for a short distance. When they stop, some sink into the sand and disappear while others flatten themselves at the surface, becoming almost invisible. Others puff themselves up in an attempt to frighten the enemy.

Natural enemies include whipsnakes, hawks and roadrunners. If caught, they sometimes try to drive their horns into the enemy.

An adult horned toad can be between two and six inches long and up to two and a half inches wide. There are 14 species, differing in body size, in the size and position of horns on the head and in numbers of sharp fringe scales along the side of the body.