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Tuatara — printable fact sheet
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Tuatara
Sphenodon punctatus
The tuatara is a rare reptile endemic to New Zealand, often referred to as a 'living fossil' due to its close resemblance to species that lived during the age of the dinosaurs. Tuataras are the only surviving members of the order Rhynchocephalia, which flourished around 200 mill…
Did you know?
- Tuataras are the only surviving members of an ancient reptilian order that existed alongside the earliest dinosaurs.
- Tuataras possess a unique third eye, called the parietal eye, which is visible in hatchlings and may help regulate their circadian rhythms. Unlike most reptiles, they have extremely slow metabolisms and growth rates, allowing them to live exceptionally long lives. They are also able to survive in cooler climates than most other reptiles.
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