You are being watched by a living fossil who is capable of holding his breath for nearly an hour!

The subject of this study is Sphenodon punctatus, a reptile found only in New Zealand.

The Tuatara is not a lizard, but the only remaining survivor of a large group of reptiles that roamed the earth at the same time as the dinosaurs.

The Tuatara hasn't changed its form much in over 225 million years. It has many unusual features including a rudimentary "third eye" in the middle of the forehead which allows the juvenile of the species to soak up UV rays in the first few months of life, and lower teeth that fit between two rows of teeth in the upper jaw allowing for very efficient ripping and chewing of hard-bodied insects.

This mixed media work in Acrylic and colored Pencil on Arches Dessein 160gsm Art paper is ready mounted on backing board and double matted. The actual painting size is 11.75in x 13.25in - overall size is 17.5in x 19.5in.