Britannica Sources used in this answer

What gives a tuatara its beaklike snout?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

The tuatara's beaklike snout is caused by the presence of fused, toothless premaxillary bones. This unique feature is a result of the replacement of premaxillary teeth with this bony, beaklike extension, a characteristic that distinguishes the tuatara from its relatives in the order Squamata.1