\Tu`a*ta"ra\, n. [Maori tuat[`a]ra; tua on the farther
side (the back) + tara spine.]
A large iguanalike reptile ({Sphenodon punctatum}) formerly
common in New Zealand, but now 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.