# Tuatara (*Sphenodon punctatus*)

> 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.

- **Category:** Reptile
- **Conservation status (IUCN):** Least Concern
- **Range:** Offshore islands of New Zealand after mainland extinctions; managed sanctuaries.
- **Canonical page:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/tuatara/
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16

## Scientific classification

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Chordata
- **Class:** Reptilia
- **Order:** Rhynchocephalia
- **Family:** Sphenodontidae
- **Genus:** Sphenodon

## Facts at a glance

| Attribute | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Scientific name | Sphenodon punctatus |
| Diet | Insects and other invertebrates |
| Habitat | Coastal forest and scrub on predator-free islands |
| Lifespan | Around 60 years in the wild (varies by population and captivity). |
| Weight | About 1 kg typical adult mass (sex and region vary). |
| Top speed | Up to roughly 5 km/h when moving at speed. |
| Conservation status | Least Concern (IUCN) |

## Not a lizard — a rhynchocephalian

Tuatara are the sole survivors of Rhynchocephalia, separated from lizards and snakes for roughly 200 million years. They have a parietal "third eye" under skin on the forehead, two rows of upper teeth that shear against one lower row, and remarkably slow metabolism even for reptiles.

## Nocturnal invertebrate hunter

Adults take beetles, spiders, weta, snails, and occasionally lizard eggs or chicks. They forage mainly at night in cool coastal forest and scrub. Juveniles may be more diurnal to avoid cannibalistic adults.

## Islands after mainland extinction

Pacific rats (kiore), dogs, and other introduced mammals wiped tuatara from mainland New Zealand. Remaining wild groups live on managed offshore islands; reintroductions to fenced sanctuaries are expanding secure habitat.

## Temperature-dependent sex and rats

Eggs incubated cooler tend to produce females; warmer nests yield more males — a climate concern for nesting sites. Eradicating rats and restoring islands remain the core conservation tools that keep the species Least Concern today.

## Frequently asked questions

### Is a tuatara a dinosaur?

No. It is a living rhynchocephalian reptile — a cousin lineage to lizards and snakes, not a dinosaur.

### Why do tuatara have a third eye?

The parietal eye senses light and may help regulate circadian and seasonal cycles; it does not form sharp images like the lateral eyes.

### How long can tuatara live?

Decades are normal; well-documented individuals exceed 60 years, and some captive animals are thought to be older.

### Where can you see tuatara in the wild?

Almost only on protected New Zealand offshore islands and mainland sanctuaries free of introduced mammalian predators.

### Do tuatara hibernate?

In cooler months they become inactive and may remain in burrows for long periods, matching their slow metabolism.

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Source: Global Animal Guide (https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/tuatara/). Licensed CC BY-NC 4.0 — free for non-commercial reuse with attribution.