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What is the role of a Tuatara?

Updated: 9/13/2023
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Q: What is the role of a Tuatara?
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How do tuatara catch their prey?

Tuatara are ancient reptiles, endemic to New Zealand. Carnivorous creatures which feed on small mammals, birds, insects such as weta, frogs and other reptiles, they are equipped with very sharp teeth which they use to catch their prey. They simply draw close to these smaller creatures, and pounce quickly to catch them. The tuatara grip their prey with their two sets of upper teeth and one set of lower teeth which hold the prey firmly. These strong teeth are also used to break through egg shells to eat the chicks of the seabirds that share the tuatara's habitat.


Why is the NZ giant weta endangered?

Because of its predators; Tuatara, kiwi, saddleback and laughing owl.


What are the wetas' enemies?

The wetas enemy are the lizard (the tuatara), rats, birds, sometimes cats and dogs (if they think its a toy)


What are some examples of reptiles with scales?

All reptiles have scales. So, some examples would be king snakes, geckos, and tuatara.


What adaptaitons have enabeled the tuatara to live for 200 years?

The longest recorded lifespan of a tuatara is about 80 years. Most authorities think 100 years is possible but more than that seems to be pure speculation. Reptiles in general can have longer life spans than similarly sized mammals, and this is probably down to their metabolisms' being much slower so that cell damage is less likely to occur. I think you may mean 'Why has the species remained unchanged for 200 million years?' This is because their environment didn't change very much until very recently, so there was no evolutionary pressure to change.

Related questions

What do you call a baby tuatara?

There is no particular name for a baby tuatara. Newly hatched tuatara are called hatchlings, and tuatara that are not yet adult are simply called juvenile tuatara.


Is a tuatara a dragon?

No. Iguanas and tuatara are quite different species. Whilst both iguanas and tuatara are reptiles, the iguana is a type of lizard, whereas the tuatara is not classified as a lizard.


What Vertebrate group is the tuatara in?

The tuatara is a reptile.


How many species of the Tuatara are there?

There are only two species of tuatara: The Northern tuatara (Sphenodon guntheri) and the Brothers Island tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus).


Is a tuatara a mammal?

No, Rhynchocephalia is not a subset of Mammalia. The tuatara is a reptile.


When was Tuatara - comics - created?

Tuatara - comics - was created in 1977.


Which is faster ssc ultimate aero or ssc tuatara?

SSC Tuatara; 272 mph; Ultimate aero; 268mph. TUATARA WINS


Can you have a pet tuatara and why?

No. Tuatara are protected animals, and may not be kept as pets.


Which is faster bugatti veyron or SSC tuatara?

100% ssc tuatara is faster than bugatti ....tuatara 275 mph bugatti 268mph....trust me...see the video of speed between bugatti and ssc tuatara...


Is a tuatara a fish?

No. The tuatara is a unique reptile which looks like a lizard but is not classified as a lizard.


Is the tuatara a marsupial?

Marsupials are a division of mammals only. The tuatara is not a mammal at all. It is a reptile.


Does the tuatara live in or near the Sarawak river?

No. The Tuatara is found only in New Zealand.