Family ties

This tiny reptile roamed with the dinosaurs — and could solve an evolutionary mystery

A 150-million-year-old reptile looked a lot like its living relative.

by Jennifer Walter
Tuatara, the living fossil, is a native and endemic reptile in new zealand. Animal in natural enviro...
Shutterstock

Shutterstock

Meet the tuatara.

These reptiles, native to New Zealand, weigh only three pounds as adults and can live to over a hundred years old.

Tuataras are also known as living fossils, due to the fact that they have many of the same characteristics as their ancient reptilian ancestors.

Kevin Schafer/The Image Bank/Getty Images
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