Tuatara

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N/S ? ??.??? W/E ??? ??.???  [] In Nevada, United States

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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 Exploring

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Tuatara

Logged Visits ( 21 total. Visit the Gallery (6 images) )

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Cache Logs

November 12 by TeamDoubleReed (890 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. [view this log]

November 9 by Pick&Dance (149 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. [view this log]

January 28 by j.hubbard (951 found) thanks for the great hike....j.hubbard [view this log]

January 19 by eph5vs20 (1361 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. [view this log]

January 18 by guitarman103 (33 found) yeah [view this log]

Current time: 11/22/2009 10:27:32 AM
Last Updated: 11/13/2009 6:19:22 AM
Rendered: From Database
Coordinates are in the WGS84 datum