The curious case of the Ecuadorian horned anole has fascinated herpetologists, making it an excellent mascot for World Lizard Day. Its story starts in 1953, when a single male specimen of the species was discovered near the Ecuadorian town of Mindo. Over the next 13 years, only a handful of additional Ecuadorian horned anoles were found, all males, and each sporting the same long snout that earned its species the nickname ‘Pinocchio lizard.’ So rare and secretive is this anole, that for the next four decades no more individuals were found, and scientists feared the Pinocchio lizard had gone extinct. It wasn’t spotted again until 2004, when researchers glimpsed a female for the first time. She didn’t have a long snout, leading scientists to believe the male’s sword-like appendage is primarily used in courtship (insert your own joke here).
Lizard of mystery
Today in History
More Desktop Wallpapers:
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Goodbye, 2020!
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A peek behind the royal curtain
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Brown pelican, San Diego, California
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A shell of many colors
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Unbearable cuteness
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Roques de Benet, Els Ports Natural Park, Catalonia, Spain
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A tower of light
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European beech forest, Belgium
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The old guard at Old San Juan
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Gemsbok in Namibian sand dunes
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Maritime forest on Cumberland Island, Georgia
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National Park Week: Olympic National Park, Washington
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Inside the Oculus
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First Cliff Walk
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Traffic jam on the caribou highway
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Storseisundet Bridge, Norway
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Banggai cardinalfish with sea anemone
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Last stop before leaving the solar system
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It s Coffee Day
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Commemorating peace in Antarctica
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Songkran—Thai New Year
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Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument anniversary
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Barcelona bids farewell to summer
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Sibiu Christmas market, Romania
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Freshwater plants in Aquário Natural, Brazil
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The first ascent
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Balloons and camels are two ways to catch a ride here
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World Water Day
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200th anniversary of Brazilian independence
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Talampaya National Park, Argentina