Found 2 items, similar to Sphenodon punctatum.
English → English (WordNet)
Definition: Sphenodon punctatum
Sphenodon punctatum
n : only extant member of the order Rhynchocephalia of large
spiny lizard-like diapsid reptiles of coastal islands off
New Zealand [syn:
tuatara]
English → English (gcide)
Definition: Sphenodon punctatum
Tuatara
\Tu`a*ta"ra\, n. [Maori tuat[`a]ra; tua on the farther
side (the back) + tara spine.] (Zo["o]l.)
A large iguanalike reptile (
Sphenodon punctatum) formerly
common in New Zealand, but by 1900 confined to certain islets
near the coast. It reaches a length of two and a half feet,
is dark olive-green with small white or yellowish specks on
the sides, and has yellow spines along the back, except on
the neck. It is the only surviving member of the order
Rhyncocephala. Also called
tuatera and
hatteria.
[Webster 1913 Suppl. +PJC]