{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Taxon",
  "slug": "tuatara",
  "name": "Tuatara",
  "scientificName": "Sphenodon punctatus",
  "category": "Reptile",
  "summary": "The tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus) is New Zealand's living rhynchocephalian — a lizard-like reptile lineage otherwise known only from fossils. It survives on predator-free offshore islands and sanctuaries, eats invertebrates, grows slowly to about 1 kg, and can live 60 years or more. IUCN lists it Least Concern under intensive management.",
  "conservationStatus": "Least Concern",
  "taxonomy": {
    "kingdom": "Animalia",
    "phylum": "Chordata",
    "class": "Reptilia",
    "order": "Rhynchocephalia",
    "family": "Sphenodontidae",
    "genus": "Sphenodon"
  },
  "stats": {
    "weightKg": 1,
    "lengthM": 0.6,
    "topSpeedKmh": 5,
    "lifespanYears": 60
  },
  "facts": [
    {
      "label": "Scientific name",
      "value": "Sphenodon punctatus"
    },
    {
      "label": "Diet",
      "value": "Insects and other invertebrates"
    },
    {
      "label": "Habitat",
      "value": "Coastal forest and scrub on predator-free islands"
    },
    {
      "label": "Lifespan",
      "value": "Around 60 years in the wild (varies by population and captivity)."
    },
    {
      "label": "Weight",
      "value": "About 1 kg typical adult mass (sex and region vary)."
    },
    {
      "label": "Top speed",
      "value": "Up to roughly 5 km/h when moving at speed."
    },
    {
      "label": "Conservation status",
      "value": "Least Concern (IUCN)"
    }
  ],
  "range": {
    "nativeRange": "Offshore islands of New Zealand after mainland extinctions; managed sanctuaries.",
    "continents": [
      "Oceania"
    ]
  },
  "sources": [],
  "lastReviewed": "2026-07-16",
  "canonicalUrl": "https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/tuatara/",
  "license": {
    "name": "CC BY-NC 4.0",
    "url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/",
    "attribution": "Global Animal Guide — https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/tuatara/",
    "note": "Free to reuse for non-commercial purposes with attribution and a link back to the canonical page."
  }
}