Question #45702. Asked by DogRL.
Last updated Aug 26 2016.
Senior Moments
Answer has 7 votes
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Senior Moments
Answer has 7 votes.
Currently voted the best answer.
The Tuatara, a lizardlike reptile that lives only in New Zealand, has those three "eyes". It belongs to a group of reptiles that once included many other creatures, but today, the Tuatara is the only surviving member of that group.
The “eye” has a retina, lens, and nerve endings, yet it is not used for seeing. It is visible under young tuataras’ skin but becomes covered with scales and pigment in a few months, making it hard to see. The unique eye is sensitive to light and may help the tuatara judge the time of day or season.
Response last updated by nautilator on Aug 26 2016.
Mar 25 2004, 6:38 PM
sequoianoir
Answer has 4 votes
sequoianoir 22 year member
2091 replies
Answer has 4 votes.
The TUATARA
The lizard-like reptile tuatara has a "well-developed parietal eye, with small lens and retina".[2][3] Parietal eyes are also found in lizards, frogs and lampreys, as well as some species of fish, such as tuna and pelagic sharks, where it is visible as a light-sensitive spot on top of their head.
http://animals.sandiegozoo.org/animals/tuatara