The Tutara belongs to a group of reptiles called lepidosaurs along with lizards and snakes. Dinosaurs are on a different evolutionary branch called archosaurs, which they share with crocodiles. Research in the past thirty years or so has shown that dinosaurs actually had more in common with birds, their direct descendants, than with modern reptiles.
The main reason why tuatara are not classified as lizards are:
* Tuatara have a membranous third eyelid, which is not present in lizards.
* Lizards have external ears, but tuatara lack ears, and have no ear drum, ear holes or middle ear cavity. They do have primitive middle ear bones, but the range of frequencies they can hear is far more limited than lizards.
* Both lizards and tuatara have a parietal "third eye" on their forehead, but it is more developed in tuatara, having a retina, lens and nerve endings. It is still not used for seeing, however, and its purpose remains unknown, though there are numerous theories about it being used to regulate circadian rhythms and temperature.
* Tuatara have two rows on teeth on their upper jaw and one row of teeth on their lower jaw, which enable the tuatara to slice up its food while it is chewing. Lizards' teeth are not arranged in this way.
* Tuatara are unique in that they have abdominal rib-like bones (gastralia) that, while not attached to either the real ribs or the spine, form a protective cage on their abdomen. These ribs then have hooked projections of bone called uncinate processes, similar to those found in birds.
* Unlike lizards, the vertebrae of tuatara are hourglass-shaped.
* Tuatara prefer cooler weather, unlike lizards, which tend to prefer warmer weather.
No. The tuatara is a unique reptile which looks like a lizard but is not classified as a lizard.
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.
A tuatara is not a lizard, and it cannot be purchased. Though lizard-like in appearance, this reptile is not classified as a lizard. Being endangered, and now extinct on the New Zealand mainland, it is not available to be purchased to satisfy one's whim to have an unusual or exotic pet.
The tuatara is not a lizard. It is a lizard-like reptile, but it is not a lizard. Y also cannot buy one. The tuatara is an endangered and protected species, endemic to New Zealand.
The tuatara is not a lizard. It is a lizard-like reptile, endemic to New Zealand, but it is not classified as a lizard. Tuatara are not limited to just males. Though extinct on the mainland, it is estimated that there are around 100 000 tuatara on the offshore islands around New Zealand. They continue to reproduce, but they are very slow at reproducing, breeding only every two to four years. Their slow rate of reproduction is one of the reasons why their population is at risk.
lumpy, long
tuatara
The Tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus), though technically, the Tuatara is not a lizard.
The tuatara is a reptile confined to a few islands of the shores of New Zealand. it resembles most lizards, and is one of the remnants of the dinosaur age. Tuataras eat spiders, small birds and insectsThe Tuatara is a reptile that has lived longer than the dinosaurs.
No. The tuatara, a lizard-like reptile endemic to New Zealand, does not have the ability to produce any venom.
tuatara!
The Tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus) though it is not actually a lizard.