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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Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival, China
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Taking the scenic route to Sturgis
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Heron lies the Salton Sea
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Riding the bore tide at Turnagain Arm, Cook Inlet, Alaska
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National Bison Month
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Take me to the river
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Christmas market at Belvedere Palace in Vienna
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Badlands National Park turns 44
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World Art Day
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Manhattan
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Merry Christmas
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Feeling chic on Fashion Week
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Earth Day
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The Pearl of Siberia
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High above the reef
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Pont dArcole over the Seine river, Paris, France
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Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica
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Shining like Klondike gold
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Rock of ages
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International Day of Mangrove Conservation
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Glass footbridge in Zhangjiajie, China
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Cumberland Island National Seashore
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Light show at the skatepark
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And to think that I saw it in Cappadocia
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Bryce Canyon National Park turns 100
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Winter at Valley Forge
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Brain coral
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Tokyo welcomes a futuristic new art museum
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The Unfinished Obelisk near Aswan, Egypt
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World Whale Day