New Zealand’s lizard-like reptiles, the tuatara, are unique. Called living fossils, they belong to a group called Sphenodonthia that roamed the earth in the dinosaur age. The rest of the species in this group became extinct about 60 million years ago. Fortunately this amazing creature has survived. As an endangered creature they have been protected by New Zealand law since 1895 and there are estimated to be between 50,000 and 100,000 in existence.

What does a tuatara look like?

Native to New Zealand, a tuatara is a reptile, but not a lizard. It is New Zealand’s largest reptile and in Maori its name means ‘spiny back’. The male tuatara is bigger than the female and has larger spines on its back. He fans these out to attract females in the mating season. The male can grow up to 0.5 metres and up to 1.5kg in weight.

Tuatara vary in colour, being either brown, olive green or an orange-red. They have a single row of teeth in their bottom jaw. Under the skin on their head they have an unusual gland or third eye.

Where can they be found?

By the time Europeans arrived in New Zealand there were no more tuatara left on the mainland. They can now be found in the wild only on one of 32 offshore islands. The main one of these is Stephens Island in the Marlborough Sounds, where about fifty per cent of tuatara live.

They can also be seen in wildlife sanctuaries and zoos. Even then, it is hard to get a glimpse of them. Tuatara are nocturnal creatures and are well camouflaged, often hard to distinguish from the rocks they are sleeping on.

Threats to tuatara

The major threat to these creatures in the past has been rats. Rats pry on young tuatara and eggs. Many of the islands where tuatara are now still found in the wild have become predator free, thanks to the work of the New Zealand’s Department of Conservation.

In early colonisation days, poaching was a major threat, with animals being smuggled out of the country and delivered to zoos and private collections. Because of their rarity, poaching is still a threat today, but because of their protected status and isolated locations, this is becoming less common.

Climate change is also a threat. Warmer weather means more males are born, and it’s important that the survival of the female of this species is maintained.

Other tuatara facts

Tuatara have the slowest growth rate of any reptile, reaching full size at about the age of 35. They can live to 100 years of age.

In the egg, baby tuatara have an egg tooth, like a spike on the end of their snout. They use this to break out of the egg.

They eat invertebrates such as beetles, weta, worms, millipedes and spiders. Their diet also includes occasional lizards and sea bird eggs.

Tuatara can hold their breath for up to an hour.

The last of a kind

The tuatara are unique and are our only link to ancient reptile life forms of the past. It is important that these creatures are protected and their numbers maintained.

Also read:

The New Zealand Kiwi

The Flight of the Godwits