There is only one surviving species in this order, the others having become extinct 100 million years ago.

Family Sphenodontidae Tuatara Sphenodon punctatus, once found throughout New Zealand, now lives only on small islands off the coast of the North Island. This primitive, lizard-like reptile has teeth fused to the edges of the jaws (not set in sockets), a rudimentary third eye on top of the head and no copulatory organ.

[< Go Back]