Kingdom : Animalia Class : Reptilia Family : Sphenodontidae Scientific Name : Sphenodon Punctatus Size : 70 - 80cm (28 - 31in) Weight : 600 - 900g (1.3 - 1.9 lbs) Top Speed : 24km/h (15mph) Life Span : 50 - 100 years Colour : Green, Brown, Grey Skin Type : Scales Special Features : Crest along back and third eye on forehead
- Found in the islands of New Zealand, Tuataras are unique reptiles resembling lizards.
- They are usually brown or green and have a spiny crest on their backs.
- Tuataras have a third eye on top of their heads which cannot see.
- They live in burrows but like to come out to bask in the sun.
- They are mostly nocturnal, resting in daytime and hunting for food at night.
- Tuataras eat insects like spiders, bugs and beetles as well as small reptiles.
- They are known to be cannibalistic and will also eat other small tuataras.
- Although no external ear is seen, they can still hear pretty well.
- They have an incredibly long lifespan of 50 -100 years.
- They grow very slowly; they continue growing till they are about 30 years old.
- Female tuataras reproduce once every 2 – 5 years and average litter size is 12.
- Incubation period of tuatara’s eggs varies between 12 – 15 months.
- The temperature of the nesting burrow determines the gender of the baby tuataras.
- Colder temperatures lead to female tuataras while warm temperatures lead to males.
- Baby tuataras are independent and on their own as soon as they are born.
- The main predators of the Tuatara include cats, dogs, foxes and pigs.
- Tuataras are solitary and reclusive creatures who keep to themselves for the most part.
- Tuataras are ancient animals but today they are threatened and might become extinct soon.