Story: Fossils

Tuatara

Tuatara

The tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus) is often referred to as a living fossil. The species is virtually indistinguishable from its 200-million-year-old ancestors. Living fossils are an enigma to evolutionists. Over millions of years environments have changed dramatically, yet species like the tuatara have remained much the same and survived.

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How to cite this page:

Hamish Campbell, 'Fossils - Terrestrial fossils', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/9040/tuatara (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Hamish Campbell, published 12 Jun 2006