 A team led by herpetologist Federico Banfi from the University of Antwerp wondered if the presence or absence of horns might come down to hunting style. The scientists determined that most horned snakes and lizards remain still and ambush their prey, rather than actively pursuing it. They hypothesized that horns and spikes might provide camouflage to sit and weigh predators, but could make more active snakes and lizards easier for predators and prey to spot.