# Tuatara (*Sphenodon punctatus*) The Tuatara is a special reptile that looks a bit like a lizard but is actually very different! They have a unique third eye on top of their head. - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Rare - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Islands and coastal areas ![Tuatara](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424613/objects/5684.jpg) ## Appearance The Tuatara is a medium-sized reptile with a rough, olive-green to grey-brown skin, often speckled. It has a distinctive spiny crest of soft scales running down its back, more prominent in males, and a large, wedge-shaped head with powerful jaws. Its small, beady eyes have a fixed stare. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Sphenodontia - **Family:** Sphenodontidae - **Genus:** Sphenodon ## Interesting facts - Wow! An adult Tuatara can hold its breath underwater for almost an hour! - Wow! Their unique teeth are fused to their jawbone and can't be replaced if broken! - Wow! Tuatara are the last survivors of an entire ancient reptile group called Rhynchocephalia! - Wow! Tuatara eggs take over a year to hatch, the longest incubation of any reptile! ## Special abilities - **Third Eye Vision:** Tuatara has a light-sensitive 'third eye' on its head that helps them regulate their body temperature and understand day-night cycles. - **Chilly Chiller:** Tuatara can stay active in colder temperatures than most reptiles because of their slow metabolism, helping them hunt at night. - **Ancient Lineage:** Tuatara has unique genetic traits that link them directly to prehistoric reptiles, helping scientists understand dinosaur-era life. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 50-80 cm - **Weight:** 0.5-1.5 kg - **Lifespan:** 60-100 years - **Speed:** 2 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 1-19 - **Incubation:** 365-450 days ## Diet & Feeding These ancient reptiles primarily feast on insects and other small animals found on their island homes. - **Age differences:** Young tuatara eat smaller insects, while adults can hunt larger prey like lizards and bird chicks. - **Primary Foods:** beetles, crickets, wētā, spiders, lizards, bird eggs - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** tree wētā (*Hemideina crassidens*) — A large, flightless insect often eaten by tuatara. - **Shelter:** grey-faced petrel (*Pterodroma macroptera*) — Tuatara often share burrows with this seabird. - **Eaten by:** Pacific rat (kiore) (*Rattus exulans*) — Introduced rats were a major threat, preying on tuatara eggs and juveniles. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Ancient Lineage](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ancient-lineage): This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [Coastal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/coastal): Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Reptiles & Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles-and-amphibians) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Look but don’t touch. Keep a safe distance and wash hands after exploring. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Tuatara? Compare scales, body proportions, legs, tail and shell, if there is one. Many reptiles change their look with age, temperature or breeding condition. Reptile Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Tuatara? 50-80 cm ### How much does Tuatara weigh? 0.5-1.5 kg ### How long does Tuatara live? 60-100 years ### How fast can Tuatara move? 2 km/h ### What does Tuatara eat? These ancient reptiles primarily feast on insects and other small animals found on their island homes. ### Where is Tuatara usually found? Islands and coastal areas ### How does Tuatara hunt? Ambush ## Where to spot - [Toledo Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/toledo-zoo) — Ohio, US · Zoo ## More Reptiles - [Pond Slider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pond-slider) (*Trachemys scripta*) - [Western Fence Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-fence-lizard) (*Sceloporus occidentalis*) - [Common Five-lined Skink](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-five-lined-skink) (*Plestiodon fasciatus*) - [Desert Spiny Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/desert-spiny-lizard) (*Sceloporus magister*) --- Source: [Tuatara: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tuatara)