Tuatara
ExploreReptiles
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.
Habitat: Islands and coastal areas
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.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassSphenodontiaFamilySphenodontidaeGenusSphenodon
Category
ReptilesRarity
Rare
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
Be the first to snap!
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
Ability
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.
Ability
Chilly Chiller
Tuatara can stay active in colder temperatures than most reptiles because of their slow metabolism, helping them hunt at night.
Ability
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
- Top 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.
shelters
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
Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats.
Insectivorous
This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates.
Ancient Lineage
This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years.
Longevous
This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind.
Coastal
Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater.
Nocturnal
Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
Look but don’t touch. Keep a safe distance and wash hands after exploring.
Frequently Asked Questions
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
How many eggs does Tuatara lay?
1-19
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
Loading map…
Recent Snaps
Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.
