Lizard Links
Lounge Help
Sitemap
 


 


Lizard Anatomy - Parietal Eye

Lizards Home > Library > Anatomy
 

Some lizards, like Iguanas and Bearded Dragons, have whats called a Parietal Eye. This 'third-eye' is not a traditional eye, but is a photosensory organ located on the top of their heads and is connected to the the lizards pineal gland.

The Parietal Eye detects changes in light with its very basic lens and retina. This allows the lizard to properly thermoregulate their body, and is why proper light cycles in captivity are important.

Second to thermoregulation, the Parietal Eye also acts as a defensive measure for lizards, since an approaching predator will cause the light to change.

 
 

subscribe to the lizard lounge rss feed Subscribe

Bookmark and Share

 
     
© 2005 - 2009, The-Lizard-Lounge.com
Lizards Home | Lizards Library | Lizard Care Sheets | Lizard Pictures | In The Wild