Wild Facts

Today we are going to take a trip back to a time when dinosaurs roamed the earth! Well, not quite but this particular reptile comes from a direct lineage of reptiles that ran with the dinosaurs. The tuatara may look like a lizard but it is actually the last remaining species of a reptile group called Sphenodontia. Really, how old could this reptile be?  Well, the tuatara hasn’t changed its appearance in about 225 million years! No, I am not just exaggerating, this species is really that old! Unfortunately, the tuatara lost all of its relatives about 60 million years ago.  That must have been some funeral! I wonder if the tuatara ever feels lonely knowing it is the last of its kind?

Even though the tuatara is not exactly a lizard they still share an awesome adaptation.  Of course, I am talking about the ability to regenerate their tail.  That’s right, if a lizard (or a tuatara) gets caught by a predator they are able to drop their tail to escape.  Later on they can just grow another tail back! How incredibly cool would it be if we could do this? Well, obviously not with our tail but other limbs.

Although, tail regeneration is awesome, the tuatara has another incredible adaptation.  Any guesses? C’mon, anyone? Yes, you in the back! A third eye you say!  Wow, you really have been studying.  You are absolutely correct.  You heard me folks!  Until this unique animal reaches 4 to 6 months they have a third eye on top of their head.  Scientists are not exactly sure what the purpose of this eye is but they do offer some guesses. Any ideas?  I would love to see what you think they use this eye for so please feel free to comment.  Here is what the so called “experts” think the third eye, also called the parietal eye, could be used for.  One possibility is the ability for this additional eye to take in as much ultarviolet rays as posssible.  What would be the point of this.  Well, as we know, sunlight contains vitamin D which would aid in the growth of the young tuatara.  Other potential uses of the parietal eye include thermoregulation and detecting light/dark cycles.  I know you folks have ideas that are much more interesting then this.  Maybe they use the eye to see when birds are about to poop on them.  Who knows, anything goes because nothing has been proven.  Let’s see some ideas!

Some of you may be wondering what happens to this third eye after 6 months and I award those people one Wild Fact Bonus Point! As the tuatara gets older the eye simply gets covered by their scales. As well, it is interesting to note that this parietal eye does contain features of real eyes such as the retina, cornea and lens.  This indicates that it most likely evolved from a real working eye!

All right! Let’s see some comments!  Five Wild Fact Bonus Points for any original ideas about the use of the third eye!