Pāhonoa te oro

Its head is long and narrow, with a pointed snout that helps it probe into burrows and crevices in search of prey. The neck is flexible, giving the lizard a wide range of motion when hunting or scanning its surroundings. One of its most distinctive features is its long, thick tail, which can make up a large portion of its total length. The tail is not only used for balance but also serves as a defensive tool, capable of delivering powerful whipping strikes if the animal feels threatened.