Tuatara: Sphenodontidae - Physical Characteristics, Habitat, Diet, Behavior And Reproduction, Conservation Status, Northern Tuatara (sphenodon Punctatus): Species Account - GEOGRAPHIC RANGE, TUATARAS AND PEOPLE

Tuatara: Sphenodontidae - Physical Characteristics

At a glance, each of the two species of tuatara could be mistaken for a lizard. A closer look, however, reveals how different they really are. One difference is in their teeth. Tuataras have not one, but two rows of teeth lying side by side in the upper jaw. When the mouth closes, the single row of teeth in the lower jaw fits between the two upper rows. Tuataras have ears as lizards do, but lizard…

Tuatara: Sphenodontidae - Habitat

Tuatara: Sphenodontidae - Diet

Tuatara: Sphenodontidae - Behavior And Reproduction

Tuataras are most active at night, which is when they do the majority of their hunting. During the daytime, each one lives alone in its underground burrow, occasionally coming to the burrow entrance to sunbathe, or bask, and warm their bodies. Tuataras live on very small islands that may become rather crowded, sometimes with tuatara burrows less than 3 feet (0.9 meters) apart. In some cases, 810 t…

Tuatara: Sphenodontidae - Conservation Status

Tuatara: Sphenodontidae - Northern Tuatara (sphenodon Punctatus): Species Account

Physical characteristics: The northern tuatara is a beady-skinned, lizard-looking animal with a crest on the back of its head and on its back. Its color may be gray, greenish gray, red, or black. Males can reach more than 24 inches (61 centimeters) long and 2 pounds (1 kilogram). Females are smaller, usually growing to no more than 16 inches (40.6 centimeters) and 1 pound (0.5 kilograms). Geograph…