Some of them have it more than others, but it appears that both of these iguanas have a second clear translucent scale just behind the prominant horn to compliment the true parietal eye further back on the head. The paretial eye on humans is covered by bone.
http://gallery.pethobbyist.com/index.php?photo=119
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Rhino Iguana Parietal Eyes
cycluracornuta
Oct 05, 2004 11:02 PM
Replies (3)
tc5000
Oct 08, 2004 06:26 PM
Funny I have a Dumeril monitor w/ what you’re calling a partial eye. I will get a picture of it tomorrow when I have him out and I will post it here. I had often looked at it and wondered if it was what I had heard called a third eye
tc5000
Oct 09, 2004 08:02 PM
I know Charlie my monitor has what your calling a third eye but have a look at Lucky my Tegu and tell me what you think.
Close up.
Tell me what you think about this one. Would you call this a third eye?
cycluracornuta
Oct 10, 2004 01:53 AM
Nice pictures ! wish my camera could take such good macro pictures. Interesting how the location of the parietal eye ( third eye or pineal eye), varies from specie to specie. Most lizards have one. Below the scale is a sort of retina that detects light and dark movement overhead. It is also believed that this eye helps the lizard determine how much time to spend in the sun and set a circadium rhythm -- cycle of seasons. What makes the these rhinos unusual is that aside from the usual one, there is a second translucent scale.
