Iguanas In The Wild

Is the green iguana third eye a myth or not?

Well according to scientists, the answer is "no".

Iguanas really do have a very ancient device on the top of the head, though scientists at present feel it is not developed enough to call it an eye.

Usually known as an oscelli the green iguana third eye, located on the top of an iguana's head, is capable of sensing subtle changes in light intensity.

A number of possible reasons for the development of this unusual organ have been suggested.

As iguanas are cold-blooded and therefore need to bask in the sunlight to reach their optimum temperature for activity, could this be of use in helping iguanas find suitable basking spots?

Could this third eye help keep a longer-term track on daylight, helping to signal changes in the seasons, and hence when breeding should occur?

Could the green iguana third eye help the iguana to sense whether there is clear sky of foliage above him in his climbing exploits?

Or, most pursuasively for me at least, could this be of particular use to younger iguanas, in that a change from bright light to sudden darkness would suggest a predator such as a hawk swooping in from above?

Unfortunately, there is no general agreement in this matter, and so your opinion is as good an anyone elses.

Iguanas In The Wild Including adaptation of iguana life, the green iguana third eye, green iguanas behavior, iguana habitat and iguanas life history.