Tuatara

Tuatara

The Tuatara is an unusual reptile that lives on islands off the coast of New Zealand. This nocturnal (most active at night) animal sleeps in a burrow during the day and hunts at night. Although it looks like a lizard, it is not a lizard. The Tuatara has a life span of well over 60 years; it does not reach maturity until it is 20 years old.
Anatomy: Tuataras have dorsal crests along their back. They have a third pineal or parietal "eye" on their forehead; its purpose is unsure. These reptiles grow to be about 2 feet (60 cm) long. Unlike all other reptiles, the Tuatara's teeth are fused to the jaw bone.
Diet: Tuataras are carnivores (meat eaters). They eat insects (like the weta (a cricket), moths and beetles), reptiles (like lizards), worms, snails, eggs, baby birds and even other Tuataras.
Predators: Tuataras are eaten by rodents, pigs, and wild cats.
Habitat: Tuataras are native to chaparral habitats on islands off New Zealand. They went extinct on New Zealand itself in the late 1800's.
Reproduction: Tuataras hatch from leathery-skinned eggs. The female lays about a dozen eggs in a burrow; they take 1 to 1 1/4 years to hatch. There is no parental care.
Classification: Class Reptilia (reptiles), Order Rhynchocephalia (beak-headed reptiles), Family Sphenodontidae, Genus Sphenodon , Species punctatus and guntheri.
Got From: http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/reptiles/tuatara/Tuataraprintout.shtml