11. Tuatara: The Living Fossil
The tuatara is a remarkable reptile native to New Zealand, often called a “living fossil.” Virtually unchanged for over 200 million years, tuataras provide a glimpse into the distant past of Earth’s fauna. Unique among reptiles, they have a parietal ‘third eye’ atop their heads—a mysterious feature whose function is still debated by scientists. As the sole surviving members of an ancient reptilian order, tuataras are living links to a lost world. Learn more about tuatara here.