tuatara
New Zealand reptile
A tuatara is a lizard-like reptile native to New Zealand, the sole surviving member of an ancient order that predates dinosaurs.
Despite their appearance, tuataras are not true lizards—they have a distinctive third eye on top of their head and a unique double row of upper teeth.
They can live over a century and remain active at temperatures too cold for most reptiles.
Plates or weighing devices
- cold-bloodedUnfeeling or externally heated
- ectothermicTemperature set by surroundings
- herpetologyStudy of reptiles, amphibians
- oviparousReproducing through external eggs
vertebrate · reptile · crest · spines · claws · tail · slow metabolism · long-lived
Metaphysical perception organ
- spinesStiff, pointed projections
- crestHighest point or tuft
- slow growthMinimal rate of increase
- longevityDuration of existence
Preserved ancient organism
- ancientVery old indeed
- primordialExisting from the start
- ancestralOf one's forebears
- lineageDescent from progenitors
relict · evolution · dinosaur · survivor · unchanged · archaic · prehistoric · Gondwana
Primordial fish still swimming
- lungfishFish that breathes air
- nautilusChambered marine mollusk
- ginkgoAncient Chinese deciduous tree
- horseshoe crabSpike-tailed marine arthropod
platypus · relict · unchanged · survivor · ancient lineage · evolutionary · primitive · archaic
Light after sunset
- crepuscularRelating to dusk
- darknessTotal absence of light
- duskDimming after sundown
- burrowAnimal's dug dwelling
slow · cool temperatures · nighttime · hunting · insects · moonlight · active · emergence
At risk of extinction
- threatenedExpressed intent to harm
- extinctionComplete vanishing of a species
- habitatOrganism's natural environment
- protectionGuarding against harm
vulnerable · endemic · preservation · sanctuary · ecosystem · breeding program · translocation · predator control
Indigenous name for NZ
- endemicNative to one area
- MaoriNew Zealand's indigenous people
- ZealandiaSubmerged continental fragment
- sanctuaryProtected sacred space
Wellington · whakapapa · conservation · wildlife · native · protected · offshore islands · captive breeding
scales
Plates or weighing devices
- cold-bloodedUnfeeling or externally heated
- ectothermicTemperature set by surroundings
- herpetologyStudy of reptiles, amphibians
oviparous · vertebrate · reptile · crest · spines · claws · tail · slow metabolism · long-lived · burrow
third eye
Metaphysical perception organ
- spinesStiff, pointed projections
- crestHighest point or tuft
- slow growthMinimal rate of increase
fossil
Preserved ancient organism
- ancientVery old indeed
- primordialExisting from the start
- ancestralOf one's forebears
lineage · relict · evolution · dinosaur · survivor · unchanged · archaic · prehistoric · Gondwana · paleontology
coelacanth
Primordial fish still swimming
horseshoe crab · platypus · relict · unchanged · survivor · ancient lineage · evolutionary · primitive · archaic
twilight
Light after sunset
- crepuscularRelating to dusk
- darknessTotal absence of light
- duskDimming after sundown
burrow · slow · cool temperatures · nighttime · hunting · insects · moonlight · active · emergence
endangered
At risk of extinction
- threatenedExpressed intent to harm
- extinctionComplete vanishing of a species
- habitatOrganism's natural environment
protection · vulnerable · endemic · preservation · sanctuary · ecosystem · breeding program · translocation · predator control · recovery
Aotearoa
Indigenous name for NZ
- endemicNative to one area
- MaoriNew Zealand's indigenous people
- ZealandiaSubmerged continental fragment
sanctuary · Wellington · whakapapa · conservation · wildlife · native · protected · offshore islands · captive breeding · Southland
- rhynchocephalian
- Tuataras
- reptileslizard, snake, turtle, crocodile, alligator
- New ZealandAuckland, Wellington, Air New Zealand, Kiwis, Christchurch
- island wildlifemarine iguana, Darwin's finches, Galapagos tortoise, giant tortoise, giant tortoises
- native wildlifenative species, endemic species, native birds, native mammals, native fish