New Zealand Herpetological Society Inc.

Tuatara

The two species of tuatara are the sole surviving representatives of the order Sphenodontidae. Despite a close resemblance, tuataras are not lizards. Informally known as "living fossils', they have remained essentially unchanged for 150 million years. They are New Zealand's largest endemic reptile, with adults measuring up to snout vent 280mm, or 600mm including the tail. Three quarters of their diet is invertebrates, the remainder is made up from lizards, birds, & other organic material. Tuataras have soft skin, are vocal and can live to over one hundred years.

There are currently two species recognised, Sphenodon punctatus and Sphenodon guntheri. The subspecies designations are under review.

You are unlikely to see wild tuataras, as they are on offshore refuges, not accessible to the public, so visit one of the many of the reptile parks we list, or visit Matiu/Somes island in the middle of Wellington harbour.