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Adaptations
Tuatara have a number of adaptations like all animals. One of their adaptations is its teeth. Tuatara have sharp teeth that enable it to kill and eat its prey. It has 2 rows of teeth in the upper jaw and 1 row in the lower. These teeth are directly connected to the skull therefore it does not need the ability to regrow new teeth. Tuatara have a certain jaw ligament which makes it chew in a backward and forward motion combined with a up and down shearing movement. It's unique teeth allignment and jaw motion enables the Tuatara to bite with such force that it can tear through bone. By having these unique adaptations it allows the Tuatara to kill and eat its prey with ease.
Tuatara yourself
Another of its amazing adaptations is its ability to drop off its tail at will. When Tuataras are caught by predators such as birds and big rats it will drop its tail off and flee. This ability allows it to survive longer/better as it enables it to escape predators who would want to kill/eat it. Tuatara are then able to grow their tail back, the tail is usually a bit bulkier when regrown.
Teeth
Tail
Tuatara have a third eye, it is known as the pariental eye. The eye is only visble when it's a hatchling. As it grows older scales start to grow over it. Scientist are not 100% sure what the eye's purpose is for but many say that it enables Tuatara to absorb more ultra violet light therefore absorbing an increased amount of vitamin D. By evolving to having a third eye it increases the growth rate of baby Tuataras making them healthier and stronger. This means that they are able to become an adult faster which allows them to reproduce quicker and thus are more capable of protecting themselves. Because they are able to do this it enables them to increase their population rate. By doing this it increases their chance of survival.
Eyes
Third Eye of a Baby Tuatara
The Skull of a Tuatara Notice that the teeth are connected to the skull
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