Tuataras: Dinosaur-Era Reptiles

Tuataras creep along the forest floors of islands in New Zealand. These prehistoric reptiles have white spines along their backs and tails and a third eye on their foreheads. They shed their tails when attacked by predators and have the ability to grow new tails. The tuatara is a type of reptile. All reptiles have backbones and dry, scaly skin. They are cold-blooded and depend on the temperature of their environment to warm or cool their bodies. But reptiles have many differences too. Find out what else a tuatara has in common with a green sea turtle. Discover what sets a tuatara apart from a Brahminy blind snake. Check out the comparison charts and use your compare-and-contrast skills to explore reptile traits!