PershsNhpios
05-08-2009, 08:50
Riley's Lizard, or the 'Imaht' as the islanders call it, is a new species of reptile characterised most importantly by it's lack of eyes.
Scientists at this point can only speculate, but with educated guesses they assume that this New Caledonian lizard has suffered for so many millenia because birds were constantly pecking out their eyes in order to feed the rich protein source to their young.
In order to avoid this painful rite of life, the species simply evolved without eyes.
Now they are known for tunneling into the soil where they feed on a diet of ants and the small island snakes.
One has recently arrived in the Melbourne Zoo, see:
New Reptilian Species Enters Melbourne Zoo (http://www.icerink.com.au/)
Scientists at this point can only speculate, but with educated guesses they assume that this New Caledonian lizard has suffered for so many millenia because birds were constantly pecking out their eyes in order to feed the rich protein source to their young.
In order to avoid this painful rite of life, the species simply evolved without eyes.
Now they are known for tunneling into the soil where they feed on a diet of ants and the small island snakes.
One has recently arrived in the Melbourne Zoo, see:
New Reptilian Species Enters Melbourne Zoo (http://www.icerink.com.au/)