Remember that great scene in Spielberg's "Jurassic Park"...where "Nedry" got slimmed by a Dilophosaurus?
Nedry: "I hope this is over with quick"

Pure Hollywood invention...there is absolutely no evidence Dilophosaurus had projectile spit or a frilled neck display.

Geoff, whats the name of that lizard in Australia that has the running neck fan thing going on when it it threatened?

It reminds me of the Basilisk lizard of Central America, sometimes called the "Jesus Christ Lizard" because of it's ability the run so fast that it can actually skitter across the surface of water.
http://www.ohs.osceola.k12.fl.us/teachers/animals/rljclizard/

There is a legend about this lizard that says it can also emit a poisonous gas to kill it's attackers....more ure bunk.

Karl

        -----Original Message-----
        From: SciArt-L Discussion List-for Natural Science Illustration- on behalf of Jaynie Martz
        Sent: Fri 4/16/2004 3:21 PM
        To: [log in to unmask]
        Cc:
        Subject: Re: dinosaur saliva



        Mark A. Metz wrote:

        >Actually, Komodo dragons do not have a venom, but there is quite a flora of
        >bacteria in their saliva that causes its bite to become septic in only a
        >matter of days.  The infection becomes systemic and brings down the prey.
        >Some sources report that the dragon will follow a prey item for weeks until
        >it drops.
        >
        >
        It's almost like not needing an internal stomach....the poor prey
        predigests outside
        the body, then all the predator need do is swallow. Many insects do this
        too don't they..
        not the most efficient system for either side. The dragon must waste a
        lot of energy
        following prey around.

        I have not seen the SA cover either, but I would think the majority of

        >reptiles have pretty moist mouths despite the habitat of some species (i.e.,
        >desert).  I have seen several images of geckos with bubbles of saliva around
        >the lips and tongue.  Any snake I've kept that backed off of a
        >mouse/rat/lizard left a pretty wet mess behind.
        >But who's to say about the thunder lizards!?
        >
        >
        Are they the ones that projectile spit from their eyes?

        >====================================
        >Dr. Mark A. Metz
        >Research Affiliate
        >Center for Biodiversity
        >Illinois Natural History Survey
        >607 East Peabody Drive
        >Champaign, IL 61820
        >[log in to unmask]
        >====================================
        >
        >