Noun
tuatara (plural tuataras or tuatara)
A reptile, Sphenodon punctatus, native to New Zealand, that resembles lizards and is the only surviving rhynchocephalian.
A 2009 paper re-examined the genetic bases used to distinguish the two species of tuatara, and concluded they only represent geographic variants, and only one species should be recognized. Source: Internet
Description Size comparison of male S. punctatus and human The tuatara is considered the most unspecialised living amniote ; the brain and mode of locomotion resemble those of amphibians and the heart is more primitive than that of any other reptile. Source: Internet
Brother's Island tuatara are slightly smaller, weighing up to 660 g (1.3 lb). Source: Internet
However, kiore ( Polynesian rats ) had recently become established on several of the islands, and tuatara were persisting, but not breeding, on these islands. Source: Internet
Institutions that keep live tuatara This is a good article. Source: Internet
In the 1991–92 season, Little Barrier Island was found to hold only eight tuatara, which were taken into in situ captivity, where females produced 42 eggs, which were incubated at Victoria University. Source: Internet