ˌtüəˈtärə noun
also tu·a·te·ra -ˈtārə
( -s )
Etymology: Maori tuatàra, from tua back + tara spine
: a large reptile ( Sphenodon punctatum ) formerly common in New Zealand but now confined to certain islets near the coast that is the only surviving rhynchocephalian, has a pineal body which shows distinct traces of having functioned as an eye in past ages, reaches a length of two and a half feet, is dark olive-green with small white or yellowish specks on the sides, has yellow spines along the back except on the neck, and in general resembles an iguana
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