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'''Tuatara''' is a [[reptile]] found in [[New Zealand]] and represented by two living species ''Sphenodon punctatus'' and ''Sphenodon guntheri''. The word "tuatara" is derived from the language of the Maori people (indigenous people of New Zealand), which means [[spine]]-bearer.<ref name=ASRLI> Margaret Helder [http://www.answersingenesis.org/creation/v13/i3/tuatara.asp Tantalizing tuatara: The attraction of this spiky reptile lies in an idea!] ''Answersingenesis.org''</ref> It is found in 32 offshore islands free of [[rodent]]s and [[mammal]]ian predators.<ref>[http://www.doc.govt.nz/templates/page.aspx?id=33163 Facts about tuatara] ''Department of Conservation'', ''Government of New Zealand''</ref>

'''Tuatara''' is a [[reptile]] found in [[New Zealand]] and represented by two living species ''Sphenodon punctatus'' and ''Sphenodon guntheri''. The word "tuatara" is derived from the language of the Māori people (indigenous people of New Zealand), which means [[spine]]-bearer.<ref name=ASRLI> Margaret Helder [http://www.answersingenesis.org/creation/v13/i3/tuatara.asp Tantalizing tuatara: The attraction of this spiky reptile lies in an idea!] ''Answersingenesis.org''</ref> It is found in 32 offshore islands free of [[rodent]]s and [[mammal]]ian predators.<ref>[http://www.doc.govt.nz/templates/page.aspx?id=33163 Facts about tuatara] ''Department of Conservation'', ''Government of New Zealand''</ref>

''Sphenodon'' is brownish or greenish animal.<ref name=ASRLI/> Males are larger in size than females. The average length of an adult male is approximately 61 cm and adult females are 45 cm in length.<ref name=encyclo>Cree, Alison. 2002. ''Tuatara.'' In: Halliday, Tim and Adler, Kraig (eds.), ''The new encyclopedia of reptiles and amphibians'', Oxford University Press, Oxford, pp. 210-211. ISBN 0-19-852507-9 </ref> The snout of the animal is long and the jaws are powerful. The four [[limb]]s are strongly built and the feet are partially webbed each having five toes. Each toe has a sharp claw. These animals weigh about one kilogram.<ref name=ASRLI/> A characteristic of this animal is parietal eye the purpose of which is believed to help with thermoregulation.<ref name=encyclo/> The pineal eye is also known as third eye which is visible in young animals, but it becomes covered with [[skin]] in adults.<ref name=ASRLI/> Tuatara have the slowest growth rates among reptiles.<ref name=encyclo/>  

''Sphenodon'' is brownish or greenish animal.<ref name=ASRLI/> Males are larger in size than females. The average length of an adult male is approximately 61 cm and adult females are 45 cm in length.<ref name=encyclo>Cree, Alison. 2002. ''Tuatara.'' In: Halliday, Tim and Adler, Kraig (eds.), ''The new encyclopedia of reptiles and amphibians'', Oxford University Press, Oxford, pp. 210-211. ISBN 0-19-852507-9 </ref> The snout of the animal is long and the jaws are powerful. The four [[limb]]s are strongly built and the feet are partially webbed each having five toes. Each toe has a sharp claw. These animals weigh about one kilogram.<ref name=ASRLI/> A characteristic of this animal is parietal eye the purpose of which is believed to help with thermoregulation.<ref name=encyclo/> The pineal eye is also known as third eye which is visible in young animals, but it becomes covered with [[skin]] in adults.<ref name=ASRLI/> Tuatara have the slowest growth rates among reptiles.<ref name=encyclo/>