Tuatara - Living Fossil
Photographed under a warming light in the Pūkaha Mt Bruce National Wildlife Centre, near Masterton in New Zealand. While closely resembling a lizard, this reptile is the lone member of the genus Rhynchocephalia. Its Māori name means "peaks on the back". It has another remarkable feature - a third eye on top of its head! This parietal eye appears to be a light sensor, but could also have other perception abilities.
Tuatara - Living Fossil
Photographed under a warming light in the Pūkaha Mt Bruce National Wildlife Centre, near Masterton in New Zealand. While closely resembling a lizard, this reptile is the lone member of the genus Rhynchocephalia. Its Māori name means "peaks on the back". It has another remarkable feature - a third eye on top of its head! This parietal eye appears to be a light sensor, but could also have other perception abilities.