Tuatara reptile slices up its prey 'like saws'

Last updated at 14:25
Tuatara (c) Marc JonesMarc Jones

Don't get too close to this reptile - it chews its prey like no other land animal, according to scientists!

They say the tuatara from New Zealand can slice up its food using a "steak-knife sawing motion" when it munches.

This ability could be why it's been able to adapt and survive more than 200 million years.

It means it can eat a wide range of prey, such as beetles, spiders, crickets and small lizards.

Tuatara eating a seabird (c) Paddy RyanP Ryan
The tuatara's unique chew means it can eat loads of different prey, including this seabird

The team studied tuataras at Chester Zoo.

They found that the tuatara's lower teeth slide forward against its upper teeth to slice food apart "like a draw-cut saw".

It's different to lizards and snakes who have "more of a simple opening and closing" motion.

This discovery can help explain some of the reptile's rather gruesome habits.

"People have described finding seabirds with their heads sawn off," said Dr Marc Jones from University College London.