Part 2/9:
The Tuatara: An Ancient Survivor
The tuatara is often mistaken for a lizard, but this creature has deeper roots. Evolving over 250 million years ago, the tuatara is part of an ancient group of reptiles known as Rhynchocephalians. It is one of the last members of its family, surviving where many others perished when external forces, such as the dinosaurs, dominated the Earth. Uncovering the secrets of this "living fossil" has become a mission for various scientists exploring New Zealand's remote corners.