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How do male tuatara communicate during territorial confrontations?
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tuatara
The species is the sole living member of the reptile order Rhynchocephalia.
During territorial confrontations, male tuatara employ several physical and behavioral displays to communicate and defend their territory. These include:
- Body Inflation: Males inflate their bodies to appear larger.1
- Crest Erection: They erect the crests located on their heads and necks.1
- Head Shaking: Males shake their heads as a display of dominance.1
- Mouth-Gaping: In close encounters, males engage in a sequence of mouth-gaping behaviors, which may escalate to chases or forceful biting if neither individual yields.1
- Vocalizations: During intense confrontations, males may produce croaking sounds. These are considered a by-product of chest compression and are rarely heard at other times.1