tuataror

The tuatara is a reptile native to New Zealand. Despite its lizard-like appearance, it belongs to an ancient order of reptiles, the Rhynchocephalia, which lived alongside dinosaurs millions of years ago. Tuataras are the only surviving members of this order, making them incredibly unique evolutionary relics. They are often referred to as "living fossils."

Tuataras are distinguished by several unique features. They possess a parietal eye, sometimes called a "third eye," located on the top of their head. This eye is sensitive to light and plays a role in regulating sleep cycles and thermoregulation, though its exact function is still being studied. They also have a distinctive crest of spines running down their back, which is more prominent in males. Their teeth are not set in sockets like those of mammals or lizards, but are fused to the jawbone, and they are not replaced once lost.

These reptiles are slow-growing and long-lived, with individuals potentially surviving for over 100 years. They are nocturnal and prefer cooler temperatures, often emerging from their burrows at dusk. Their diet consists mainly of insects, spiders, and other small invertebrates, but they will also eat small birds and their eggs. Tuataras are found on offshore islands of New Zealand where introduced predators like rats have been eradicated, allowing their populations to recover. Conservation efforts are crucial to protect this ancient lineage.