'Creature' 1
The first photograph (link to original NASA image) shows a lizard-like object. It appears to have four legs, all of which are pointing to the right as though it is squatting close to the ground. At the right, it appears to have a distinct profile corresponding to where we might expect a creature's head to be.
Below: A close-up of the first 'creature'
'Creature' 2
The second photograph (link to original NASA image) appears to show a remarkably similar lizard-like object. It is also facing toward the right, and has what appear to be legs pointing to the right as though it is hugging close to the ground. At the right end of the object is a distinct profile, corresponding to where we might expect to find a creature's head. However, what we might expect to be its rear end is obscured by a rock, so it is not possible to confirm other details.
Below: A close-up of the second 'creature'
A side-by-side comparison
Considerations
- It is difficult to get any sense of scale with either picture. These objects could be very different sizes. On the other hand, different sizes would not necessarily mean they were not the same type of creature.
- The second 'creature' seems smoother in texture than the first. This might be a lighting effect, or a photo-resolution artifact.
- The two creatures appear to be different colors, but since each of them appears a similar hue to the background in their respective pictures, it would appear that the overall variation is an artifact of differences in image processing.
- Since it would be unrealistic to imagine that both 'creatures' were photographed in identical poses and from identical angles, minor dissimilarities are inconclusive.
- The creatures resemble smaller-sized terrestrial quadrupeds, with a recognizable head.
- In each case the 'creature' has what appears to be a mark corresponding to where we might expect to find the eye of a terrestrial quadruped. We can naturally presume that an eye would be replicated on the non-visible side of the head, giving stereo vision, which is the primary sense in terrestrial reptiles.
- In the first example, a tail-like formation is observed to the presumed rear of the 'creature', and that formation resembles a reptilian tail rather than a mammalian tail.
- The apparent limbs of the 'creatures' are similar in each example, consisting of short protrusions terminating in a forward-pointing spur configuration. This is not reminiscent of a mammalian limb and it is not possible to distinguish 'leg' from 'foot' if such a distinction is present..
- Two limbs are visible in the first example, and it would be reasonable to expect paired limbs on the far side of the 'creature'. Only one such limb is visible on the second 'creature' and it would be reasonable to deduce that the rear limb on the visible side of the 'creature' is obscured behind the foreground rock. This also prevents observation of any tail-like formation.
Hypothesis
Curiosity has inadvertently photographed two living creatures of the same species. Less likely, it has photographed two similar-looking creatures belonging to related species.
If these creatures represent the surviving descendants of one or of two quadruped species from the early habitable period of Martian history, then by analogy with planetary extinction events on Earth they are more likely to be quasi-reptilian than quasi-mammalian.
Weighing against this hypothesis, it is hard to explain why such creatures would be exposing themselves to the harsh radiation of Martian daylight. It is also difficult to detect any sign of movement while being photographed, which (if it were rapid) would be recorded as blurring.
These "lizard" images are intriguing but in isolation they are far from representing satisfactory evidence of reptilian Martian life. They could be rocks that are similar shapes just by coincidence.
However, the photographs on the next page of this website ("Serpents") are very strongly indicative of reptilian Martian life. And if those images (taken by Curiosity and an earlier NASA Rover) are persuasive evidence of reptilian lifeforms then outright dismissal of the "lizards" depicted on this page might reasonably be considered premature.
If these creatures represent the surviving descendants of one or of two quadruped species from the early habitable period of Martian history, then by analogy with planetary extinction events on Earth they are more likely to be quasi-reptilian than quasi-mammalian.
Weighing against this hypothesis, it is hard to explain why such creatures would be exposing themselves to the harsh radiation of Martian daylight. It is also difficult to detect any sign of movement while being photographed, which (if it were rapid) would be recorded as blurring.
These "lizard" images are intriguing but in isolation they are far from representing satisfactory evidence of reptilian Martian life. They could be rocks that are similar shapes just by coincidence.
However, the photographs on the next page of this website ("Serpents") are very strongly indicative of reptilian Martian life. And if those images (taken by Curiosity and an earlier NASA Rover) are persuasive evidence of reptilian lifeforms then outright dismissal of the "lizards" depicted on this page might reasonably be considered premature.