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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 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>

'''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&nbsp;cm and adult females are 45&nbsp;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/>  

According to [[Theory of evolution|evolutionary]] scientists, these animals are "[[living fossil]]s".<ref>[http://www.icr.org/article/774/ The Profusion of Living Fossils] ''Institute For Creation Research''</ref> Evolutionists claim the tuatara survived for 220 million years.<ref>{{cite web | last=Russell| first=Matt | title= Tuatara, Relics of a Lost Age | work = Cold Blooded News| publisher= Colorado Herpetological Society| date=August, 1998 | url=http://webspinners.com/coloherp/cb-news/archive/nature/tuatara.php}}</ref> This view is criticized and rejected by [[Young Earth Creationism|creationist]] scientists. Margaret Helder, Ph.D., writes:<ref name=ASRLI/>

According to [[Theory of evolution|evolutionary]] scientists, these animals are "[[living fossil]]s".<ref>[http://www.icr.org/article/774/ The Profusion of Living Fossils] ''Institute For Creation Research''</ref> Evolutionists claim the tuatara survived for 220 million years.<ref>{{cite web | last=Russell| first=Matt | title= Tuatara, Relics of a Lost Age | work = Cold Blooded News| publisher= Colorado Herpetological Society| date=August, 1998 | url=http://webspinners.com/coloherp/cb-news/archive/nature/tuatara.php}}</ref> This view is criticized and rejected by [[Young Earth Creationism|creationist]] scientists. Margaret Helder, Ph.D., writes:<ref name=ASRLI/>