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Tuatara

Tuatara . The most ancient type of Reptile that is still alive today. Tuatara. Tuatara belongs to class Sauropsida There is only one species that belongs to Tuatara, the Sphenodon

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Tuatara

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  1. Tuatara The most ancient type of Reptile that is still alive today

  2. Tuatara • Tuatara belongs to class Sauropsida • There is only one species that belongs to Tuatara, the Sphenodon • It is the last remaining relative of an ancient groups of reptiles called Sphenodontia (hence the name Sphenodon)

  3. Sphenodon

  4. Sphenodon

  5. Tuatara, the Sphenodon • Tuatara is believed to be a direct line from the extinct Archosauramorpha

  6. Tuatara • Most of the Sphenodon’s relatives died 60 MYA. The Sphenodon has not changed at all in the past 225 million years, therefore it is known as a “living fossil”

  7. Tuatara • Many people confuse Tuatara with lizards. They look the same, but they are not. • Can you think of any differences?

  8. Tuatara vs. Lizards

  9. Tuatara: Nocturnal Loose scales, soft to the touch Pineal gland Variable body temperatures- able to live in colder temps Lizards Active during the day Scaly, hard skin No pineal glad Body temperatures are more dependent on the environment

  10. Tuatara Non-visible ear opening No penis Very specialized teeth arrangement Lizards Visible ear opening Has a penis Regular rows of teeth Tuatara vs. Lizards

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