Tuatara

What is a "tuatara"?

A tuatara is a unique reptile native to New Zealand, characterized by its ancient lineage and distinct physical features. Despite resembling lizards, tuataras are part of a separate reptilian order called Rhynchocephalia. They have a spiky crest along their back, a beak-like mouth, and a third eye on top of their head, which is only visible in hatchlings. Tuataras are known for their long lifespan and slow growth rate, with some individuals living for over a century. They are mainly active during the night and feed on a diet of insects, spiders, and small vertebrates. Tuataras hold significant cultural and scientific importance in New Zealand and are considered living fossils due to their evolutionary history dating back to the time of dinosaurs.