Tuataras

Tuataras are amazing reptiles that live only in New Zealand. They look a lot like lizards, but they are not lizards at all. Tuataras belong to a family of reptiles that lived at the same time as dinosaurs. Today, they are the only members of that family still alive.

A Living Fossil

Tuataras have been on Earth for over 200 million years. Scientists call them a living fossil because they have changed very little over time. Their closest relatives all died out long ago. Tuataras live a long time, sometimes more than 100 years. They grow very slowly and do not even stop growing until they are about 35.

How They Live

Tuataras come out mostly at night to hunt. They eat insects, spiders, small birds, and eggs. They like cool weather and can be active at temperatures that would be too cold for most reptiles. Tuataras dig burrows in the ground or use ones made by seabirds. They can even share their burrow with birds as roommates.

Fun Facts

• Tuataras have a third eye on the top of their head, though it gets covered with scales as they grow.
• The name tuatara means 'peaks on the back' in the Maori language.
• Tuatara eggs take over a year to hatch.

Did You Know?

Tuataras can hold their breath for up to an hour. They have two rows of top teeth that fit around one row of bottom teeth.