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Rare, prehistoric-age reptile found nesting in NZ
AP on Yahoo ^
| 11/1/08
| Ral Lilley - ap
Posted on 11/01/2008 2:03:57 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
WELLINGTON, New Zealand – A rare reptile with lineage dating back to the dinosaur age has been found nesting on the New Zealand mainland for the first time in about 200 years, officials said Friday.
Four leathery, white eggs from an indigenous tuatara were found by staff at the Karori Wildlife Sanctuary in the capital, Wellington, during routine maintenance work Friday, conservation manager Rouen Epson said.
"The nest was uncovered by accident and is the first concrete proof we have that our tuatara are breeding," Epson said. "It suggests that there may be other nests in the sanctuary we don't know of."
Tuatara, dragon-like reptiles that grow to up to 32 inches, are the last descendants of a species that walked the earth with the dinosaurs 225 million years ago, zoologists say.
They have unique characteristics, such as two rows of top teeth closing over one row at the bottom. They also have a pronounced parietal eye, a light-sensitive pineal gland on the top of the skull. This white patch of skin — called its "third eye" — slowly disappears as they mature.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
TOPICS: Chit/Chat; Pets/Animals; Science
KEYWORDS: cryptobiology; godsgravesglyphs; nesting; newzealand; prehistoric; rare; reptile; tuatara
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To: NormsRevenge
Bearded dragons are cuter.
And all reptiles’ ancestors were earlier reptiles. Where does the writer think reptiles come from, a cabbage patch?
2
posted on
11/01/2008 2:05:45 PM PDT
by
Tax-chick
("This is our duty: to zot their sorry arses into the next time zone." ~ Admin Mod)
To: NormsRevenge
3
posted on
11/01/2008 2:06:20 PM PDT
by
mnehring
(We Are Joe!)
To: Tax-chick; brytlea; MaryFromMichigan
Reptile ping! Not one you’ll find in the back yard ...
4
posted on
11/01/2008 2:06:51 PM PDT
by
Tax-chick
("This is our duty: to zot their sorry arses into the next time zone." ~ Admin Mod)
To: Tax-chick
They do eat cabbage... and turnips too, I bet. :-)
5
posted on
11/01/2008 2:08:02 PM PDT
by
NormsRevenge
(Semper Fi ... "You know, when you can't ask a question of your leaders anymore, that gets scary,")
To: NormsRevenge
6
posted on
11/01/2008 2:08:47 PM PDT
by
Krankor
(Are you claiming you eat toucans or)
To: NormsRevenge
Maybe ... some lizards are carnivorous. Ours like mustard greens and peas, though.
7
posted on
11/01/2008 2:09:36 PM PDT
by
Tax-chick
("This is our duty: to zot their sorry arses into the next time zone." ~ Admin Mod)
To: Tax-chick
Every once and awhile I find a real small salamandar-like lizard thingy in my pool,, not sure why they jump in. I have never found a nest of them tho. cute little fellars.
8
posted on
11/01/2008 2:10:29 PM PDT
by
NormsRevenge
(Semper Fi ... "You know, when you can't ask a question of your leaders anymore, that gets scary,")
To: NormsRevenge
anyone seen helen thomas for awhile?
9
posted on
11/01/2008 2:10:33 PM PDT
by
machogirl
(when the call comes at 3:00 am, what if the teleprompter is broken?)
To: mnehrling; tx_eggman
Looks like a horny toad.
No, I don't think so. The article said they were actively mating.
10
posted on
11/01/2008 2:11:00 PM PDT
by
SpinnerWebb
(Islam ... If you can't join them, beat them.)
To: Krankor
oh no, i posted before this picture...................
11
posted on
11/01/2008 2:11:05 PM PDT
by
machogirl
(when the call comes at 3:00 am, what if the teleprompter is broken?)
To: American72
12
posted on
11/01/2008 2:13:01 PM PDT
by
BnBlFlag
(Deo Vindice/Semper Fidelis "Ya gotta saddle up your boys; Ya gotta draw a hard line")
To: mnehrling
>Looks like a horny toad.
I was about to say the same.
13
posted on
11/01/2008 2:16:18 PM PDT
by
OneWingedShark
(Q: Why am I here? A: To do Justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with my God.)
To: NormsRevenge
14
posted on
11/01/2008 2:16:37 PM PDT
by
Tax-chick
("This is our duty: to zot their sorry arses into the next time zone." ~ Admin Mod)
To: Krankor
I just knew that picture was coming when I saw the headline. Already had my Clorox eye drops ready.
15
posted on
11/01/2008 2:16:57 PM PDT
by
Joe 6-pack
(Que me amat, amet et canem meum)
To: Joe 6-pack
That has got to be the most posted pic on this site.
16
posted on
11/01/2008 2:20:07 PM PDT
by
Krankor
(Are you claiming you eat toucans or)
To: Tax-chick
Thanks!
I may have more of a legless lizard , it seems, it is hard to tell at first but they do have tiny little legs.. they are slender too. maybe no more than 2 - 4 inches long at most
17
posted on
11/01/2008 2:20:33 PM PDT
by
NormsRevenge
(Semper Fi ... "You know, when you can't ask a question of your leaders anymore, that gets scary,")
To: NormsRevenge
Probably just looking for a drink!
18
posted on
11/01/2008 2:21:34 PM PDT
by
Tax-chick
("This is our duty: to zot their sorry arses into the next time zone." ~ Admin Mod)
To: Tax-chick
about half of them survive, I usually pull them out or they get sucked into the pool sweeper.. not good.
19
posted on
11/01/2008 2:25:05 PM PDT
by
NormsRevenge
(Semper Fi ... "You know, when you can't ask a question of your leaders anymore, that gets scary,")
To: NormsRevenge
James Carville, did you lay some eggs?
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tuatara lizards