Tuatara: a two-minute wildlife lesson

Lizards · day 5 of 7

Five facts

1. Look closely at a baby tuatara's head: there is a see-through spot on top. Under it sits a third eye, the parietal eye.
2. A tuatara's sex depends on the egg's temperature: warmer eggs tend to produce males, cooler eggs females.
3. Tuatara thrive in cold that most reptiles can't take, with an optimal body temperature of 16 to 21 °C, the lowest of any reptile.
4. Petrels and shearwaters nest on the same islands. A tuatara moves into a seabird burrow when it can, or digs one of its own.
5. Tuatara live far beyond 35 years. Reaching 60 is normal, and some kept in captivity have passed 100.

The quiz

1. Where is the tuatara's third eye?

• On top of its head (correct)
• Under its chin
• At the tip of its tail
• On its belly

The third eye sits on top of the head, under a see-through spot.

2. What kind of eggs tend to produce male tuatara?

• Cooler eggs
• Larger eggs
• Warmer eggs (correct)
• The first eggs laid

Warmer eggs tend to produce male tuatara.

3. What is the tuatara's optimal body temperature?

• 26 to 31 °C
• 16 to 21 °C (correct)
• 36 to 41 °C
• 6 to 11 °C

Its optimal body temperature is 16 to 21 °C, the lowest of any reptile.

4. Where do tuatara shelter?

• In tree hollows only
• Under river stones
• In sea caves
• In seabird burrows, or ones they dig (correct)

It moves into a seabird burrow when it can, or digs its own.

5. How long have captive tuatara lived?

• About 20 years
• About 35 years
• Over 100 years (correct)
• About 50 years

Some tuatara kept in captivity have passed 100 years.

More about the Tuatara

Same week

All lessons

Nature documentaries