Netflix’s animated film “Leo” (2023) introduces viewers to a charming character named Leo, voiced by the talented Adam Sandler.
“Leo” is a coming-of-age musical comedy about the last year of elementary school as seen through the eyes of a class pet who has spent decades living in the same classroom in Florida.
When Leo learns that he only has one year left to live, he plans to escape to experience life on the outside, but instead gets caught up in his anxious students’ problems.
As Leo interacts with the fifth-grade students in his classroom, he becomes an unexpected source of wisdom and guidance, offering insights on topics ranging from social dynamics to coping with loss and growing up.
What kind of lizard is Leo?
Despite the title suggesting a lizard-like creature, Leo is not actually a lizard but a tuatara, a unique reptile native to New Zealand and belonging to the Rhynchocephalia order.
The tuatara is often mistaken for a lizard due to its reptilian appearance, but it holds a distinct evolutionary lineage that sets it apart from true lizards.
Compared to lizards, tuataras have a unique dental arrangement with two upper rows of teeth overlapping one lower row, unlike any living lizard species.
Their skull structure varies, with different openings on the sides compared to lizards.
Tuataras lack well-developed hemipenes as male copulatory organs, a feature prominent in lizards. While both tuataras and lizards can regenerate their tails, the process differs between the two.
About Tuataras
Endemic to New Zealand, tuataras belong to the Rhynchocephalia order, a group that dates back to the time of dinosaurs.
These ancient reptiles have survived for millions of years, making them living fossils that offer valuable insights into the evolution of reptiles and the natural history of our planet.
Tuataras are known for their distinctive features, including a spiny crest along their back, a third eye on top of their head, and a slow metabolism that allows them to live exceptionally long lives.
These reptiles have a remarkable ability to withstand cold temperatures, making them well-adapted to the rugged landscapes of New Zealand.
Tuataras are known for having an exceptionally long lifespan, que van desde 60 a 100 años, as also mentioned in the movie when Leo meets some older members of the species.
Despite their lizard-like appearance, tuataras are not true lizards but represent a separate evolutionary lineage that sets them apart as a unique and intriguing species.
Can you keep tuataras as pets?
If you are wondering whether you can keep your own “Leo” at home, unfortunately the answer is no. Tuataras cannot be kept as pets.
These exotic animals are the last survivors of an ancient group of reptiles that thrived in the age of the dinosaurs and a highly protected species, and it is illegal to export them from New Zealand.
Tuataras have been protected by law in New Zealand since 1895. They are currently endangered due to challenges related to climate change, habitat loss and invasive species.
In addition to this, their care requirements are extremely unique, and they need specific environmental conditions to thrive which can be difficult to replicate at home, not taking into account their extremely long lifespan.
PetsWithScales.com es un sitio web informativo sobre el cuidado de mascotas de lagartos grandes. Recopilamos y brindamos información de diferentes fuentes en la web sobre cómo mantener y cuidar reptiles como mascotas.. Las especies con las que tratamos principalmente son tegus, lagartos monitores, eslizones y geckos. Nuestro objetivo es proporcionar información de alta calidad para ayudar a los dueños de mascotas a mejorar, decisiones más informadas sobre las dietas de sus animales, salud y vida.