Tuatara: Sphenodon punctatus

An Ancient Reptile

The tuatara, or Northern Tuatara, is an ancient surviving reptile that connects distantly to other reptiles.  It looks superficially like most other lizards, but is only distantly related.

Where does the Tuatara live?

Tuataras are found off remote islands on the North island of New Zealand.  There are approximately 31 islands that the tuatara was found on suggesting that it was likely found on the main island of New Zealand at one point.  Current conservation efforts are in place to help eradicate Polynesian rats from the outer islands to make sure they don't pose a threat to existing tuataras.

Reproduction

Tuataras reproduce extraordinarily slow!  It takes around 10 years for them to reach sexual maturity, at which time they give birth to one offspring every four years!  At this slow rate of reproduction they are extremely vulnerable to extinction.

How long does a Tuatara live?

Tuataras can live for over one hundred years, although this is often difficult to measure as few have been kept in captivity for such a long time.  From the video segment above, (assuming they are correct in their age estimates), a male tuatara who was over 100 years old, mated with a female that was 80 years old. Amazing.