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    Sphenodon – Tuatara

    These New Zealand-ers can live to over 100 years old with their eggs taking at least a year to hatch!

    Tuataras, the only living species of this order, were once widespread all-over New Zealand but are now found in a few islands off the mainland. The name means ‘peaks on the back’ in the Maori language.

    This burrowing species of reptile resemble iguanas. They are nocturnal and typically insectivorous but may eat other small vertebrates and birds’ eggs. They grow slowly, and it is thought that females are not sexually mature until they are at least 20, and females lay one egg every four years.

    The Tuatara population is under immense pressure from invasive species like rats. However, rat eradication, captive breeding, and release programs have helped repopulate some islands.