A UNIQUE JAW FOR SURE
Tuataras have a unique shaped jaw structure that enables them to slice food that is too large for them before digestion.
Researchers describe the act of the tuatara's lower jaw closing between two upper rows of teeth before sliding forward to slice food apart, like a draw-cut saw".
The tuatara's 'slicing jaws' allows it to eat a wide range of prey consisting of beetles, spiders, crickets and even small lizards.
DON'T TUG AT A TUATARA
Tuatara share the same ability to regenerate their tails when threatened. This enables them to defend themselves against predators and have a chance to flee while the predator is focused on the wiggling, mobile tail.