 Tuatara
A cache by eph5vs20 Hidden: 5/31/2008
Size:  (Regular) Difficulty:  Terrain:  (1 is easiest, 5 is hardest)
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This cache is one in a series dedicated to amazing & unusual
organisms. I am astounded by the amazing diversity of plant and
animal life that exists in this world. But the real fascination
lies with those organisms that are amazing, unusual and odd.
These organisms have capabilities that we do not share and can
barely imagine: extraordinary navigational methods, abilities to
regenerate lost limbs, live symbiotically with light-producing
bacteria, reproduce asexually, survive in suspended animation,
change shape and color at will and much more!
Tuatara (Genus: Sphenodon)
Tuatara resemble lizards, but are equally related to lizards and
snakes. Tuatara are greenish brown, and measure up to 32 inches
from head to tail-tip with a spiny crest along the back. Their
teeth, in which two rows in the upper jaw overlap one row on the
lower jaw, is unique among living species. They are further unusual
in having a pronounced parietal eye (a third eye), covered by a
transparent scale and whose current function is not fully
understood. They are able to hear although no external ear is
present, and have a number of unique features in their
skeleton.
Adult tuatara are terrestrial and nocturnal reptiles, though they
will often bask in the sun to warm their bodies. Hatchlings hide
under logs and stones, and are diurnal (active during the day)
likely because adults are cannibalistic. Tuatara thrive in
temperatures much lower than those tolerated by most reptiles, and
hibernate during winter.
Tuatara are found on approximately 30 small, relatively
inaccesible, islands off the coast of New Zealand.
Tuatara
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1 user(s) watching this cache.
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Another Tuatara
Tuatara
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Warning. Spoilers may be included in the descriptions or links.
Cache find counts are based on the last time the page generated.
 November 12, 2009 by TeamDoubleReed (1166 found)
Quite a climb to reach the cache, but I decided to go even further up the hill afterwards, so I guess it wasn't so bad.
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November 9, 2009 by Pick&Dance (150 found)
Was out taking the geopooch Sadie for a walk/hike and grabbed this one on our way. I enjoyed reading about the Tuatara. TFTC.
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January 28, 2009 by j.hubbard (1038 found)
thanks for the great hike....j.hubbard
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 January 19, 2009 by eph5vs20 (1411 found)
This cache (as part of the Amazing and Unusual Organisms series) has been nominated for "Best Series of 2008" at the upcoming GBES Geocachers’ Birthday Party and Awards Ceremony, January 24, 2009 at the Wild Island in Sparks. Find the details at GC1K033.
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January 18, 2009 by guitarman103 (33 found)
yeah
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Current Time: 2/9/2010 7:34:11 PM (GMT-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada) (3:34 AM GMT)
Last Updated: 11/12/2009 10:19:22 PM (GMT-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada) (6:19 AM GMT)
Rendered: From Database
Coordinates are in the WGS84 datum
