The Tuatara
 

The tuatara is found only on 32 offshore island of New Zealand. This mid-sized reptile weighs between 400g to 1 kilogram. They can grow to about 25cm in length. There are 3 known species of the tuatara, the northern tuatara (Spehnoden punctatus punctatus), the Brothers Island tuatara (Spehnoden guntheri) and a remaining unnamed species that lives on Takapourewa (Stephens Island).

Did you know? Tuatara means "spiny back" in Maori.

The tuatara is an amazing reptile, it is found only in New Zealand, and has lived on the planet for the past 220 million years. It is one of the oldest and relatively un-evolved species alive today. They are different to lizards or crocodiles, and have a very primative bone structure.

They live in small burrows or underneath bark and rocky crevices. They are nocturnal, and hunt food such as worms, small lizards and small insects. They do this in close proximity to their burrow.

Amazing Fact: The tuatara can live to an age of 60 years old!

Tuatara breed every 2 to 4 years, laying about a dozen eggs between October and December. The tuatara will bury the eggs, and they are no longer attended to. About 12-15 months later, the eggs will hatch. The young immediately take care of themselves, and they mature at around 12 years of age.

Further Information on the Tuatara:

NZ Government - Department of Conservation - Tuatara

E-mail info@newzealandfauna.com to add your tuatara related website.