How Do You Spell HATTERIA?

Pronunciation: [hatˈi͡əɹɪə] (IPA)

The correct spelling of the name of the New Zealand lizard known as the tuatara is "Sphenodon punctatus," but it is often colloquially referred to as the "Hatteria," a name that is grammatically incorrect. The spelling of "Hatteria" comes from a mistake made by the original discoverer of the tuatara, who confused it with another species. The correct pronunciation is /ˌhætəˈriə/, with stress on the second syllable and a short "a" sound for the first and last syllables.

HATTERIA Meaning and Definition

1. Hatteria, also known as the tuatara, is a unique reptile species that belongs to the order Sphenodontia. It is endemic to New Zealand, meaning it is found exclusively in this Pacific island country. Hatteria is considered a living fossil, as it is the only surviving member of its taxonomic group, which flourished during the Mesozoic Era, approximately 240 million years ago.

   The Hatteria has several distinctive features that set it apart from other reptiles. It has a lizard-like body with a slender tail, measuring around 30 to 35 centimeters in length. One of its most noteworthy characteristics is its third eye, called the parietal eye, located on top of its head. This structure is significant as it can sense changes in light intensity and potentially contribute to regulating the reptile's body temperature.

   Hatteria possesses unique dentition with two rows of teeth on its upper jaw fitting into a singular row in the lower jaw. It is primarily insectivorous, preying on various invertebrates, but can also include small vertebrates in its diet when the opportunity arises.

   Due to their evolutionary significance, the Hatteria has attracted considerable interest from scientists, helping shed light on the early reptilian lineage. It has become an emblematic species for New Zealand and plays a crucial role in conservation efforts. Hatteria faces numerous threats, including introduced predators and habitat loss, making ongoing conservation initiatives vital for its survival.

Common Misspellings for HATTERIA

• gatteria
• batteria
• natteria
• jatteria
• uatteria
• yatteria
• hztteria
• hstteria
• hwtteria
• hqtteria
• harteria
• hafteria
• hagteria
• hayteria
• ha6teria
• ha5teria
• hatreria
• hatferia
• hatgeria
• Hatterie

Etymology of HATTERIA

The word "Hatteria" comes from the Latinized version of the genus name "Hatteria", which was given to the tuatara reptile by the English naturalist John Edward Gray in 1842. The term "Hatteria" is derived from the Māori (indigenous Polynesian people of New Zealand) word "tuatara", which means "peaks on the back". This name refers to the distinctive spiky crest that runs down the reptile's back.