astronomy-to-zoology:Brothers Island Tuatara (Sphenodon guntheri)While it may look like a lizard, th
astronomy-to-zoology:Brothers Island Tuatara (Sphenodon guntheri)While it may look like a lizard, this species of reptile is actually one of the sole surviving members of a clade of reptiles that lived 200 million years ago. As you might of guessed by its name this living fossil can only be found on Brothers Island off of New Zealand. This tuatara species is a nocturnal hunter emerging from its burrow at night to feed on small invertebrates, eggs and even small birds. A special movement of its jaw allows them to eat their bony prey quite easily. Reproduction in this species is very competitive as females only reproduce once every 2-5 years. And as such males go through brutal fights with each-other to get a chance to mate.PhylogenyAnimalia-Chordata-Reptilia-Rhynchocephalia-Sphenodontidae-Spehenodon-guntheriImage Source(s) -- source link