A biologist in NZ holds an adult TUATARA (Sphenodon punctatus) along with its eggs, both part of a captive breeding program in place to save these highly endangered animals.
Tuatara facts:
1. Although they resemble lizards, the 3 species of Tuatara are part of an ancient ORDER of Reptiles known as the Rhynchocephalia. The other orders of CLASS Reptilia are Crocodylia (Crocs and Alligaors), Testudinata (Turtles), and Squamata (Lizards and Snakes).
2. Tuataras are endemic (found only there) to New Zealand.
3. Tuataras are critically endangered animals, having been wiped off the 2 main islands of NZ by introduced animals and destruction of habitat.
MORE INFO ABOUT TUATARAS ON MY PREVIOUS BLOG POST.
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