📷 (c) Emma Rowell, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC) · CC BY NC
📷 (c) Leah Sun, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
📷 (c) Ian McCutcheon, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
IUCN: Least Concern
Tuatara
Sphenodon punctatus
KingdomAnimalia›PhylumChordata›ClassReptilia›OrderRhynchocephalia›FamilySphenodontidae›GenusSphenodon
About
Tuatara are the only surviving members of an ancient reptile order that once lived alongside dinosaurs. They grow slowly, mature late, and can live for many decades. Conservation translocations and invasive predator control have helped secure populations after losses from rats and habitat change.
Key Facts
⛰Habitat Coastal forest, scrub, grassland, and burrow systems on predator-managed islands
🍃Diet Carnivore — insects, spiders, worms, snails, lizards, seabird eggs, and chicks
📏Size & Weight Body 45–80 cm including tail
•weight 0.5–1.3 kg
⏳Lifespan 60–100 years or more
🗺Range New Zealand offshore islands and fenced mainland sanctuaries
Reptile
Key Facts
⛰Habitat Coastal forest, scrub, grassland, and burrow systems on predator-managed islands
🍃Diet Carnivore — insects, spiders, worms, snails, lizards, seabird eggs, and chicks
📏Size & Weight Body 45–80 cm including tail
•weight 0.5–1.3 kg
⏳Lifespan 60–100 years or more
🗺Range New Zealand offshore islands and fenced mainland sanctuaries
Photo Credits
#1(c) Emma Rowell, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC) · CC BY NC
#2(c) Leah Sun, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC) · CC BY NC
#3(c) Ian McCutcheon, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC) · CC BY NC
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