Tuatara

A Prehistoric Survivor

Meet the tuatara, New Zealand’s ancient survivor, with spiky crests, olive-brown scales, and even a tiny “third eye.”

Quiet, mostly nocturnal, and completely unique, they’ve been around since the time of the dinosaurs.

At Willowbank, we’re proud to help protect their future through breeding, care, and conservation.

Tuatara Facts

Found In

New Zealand

Tuatara are found only in New Zealand, mostly on predator-free offshore islands. Once widespread on the mainland, they now survive in carefully protected habitats where conservation programs help them grow, breed, and thrive.

Habitat

Coastal

Tuatara live in coastal forests, scrub, and rocky areas on predator-free islands, sheltering in burrows or under logs and emerging mostly at night to hunt.

Diet

Carnivorous

Tuatara are carnivores, feeding mainly on insects, spiders, worms, and small lizards. They hunt mostly at night, striking slowly but accurately.

Behaviour

Nocturnal

Tuatara are mostly nocturnal, active at night while sheltering in burrows or under logs during the day. They move slowly and deliberately, but can strike quickly when hunting.

Size

35-50cm

Adult tuatara typically range from 35–50 cm in length, with males generally larger than females. They usually weigh between 0.5–1.5 kg, making them New Zealand’s largest land reptiles.

Life Span

60-100 years

Tuatara are incredibly long-lived reptiles, often reaching 60–100 years, with some individuals thought to live even longer in the wild or in managed care.

Conservation Status

Vulnerable

Tuatara are classified as Vulnerable. Once widespread across New Zealand, they now survive mostly on predator-free offshore islands and in protected reserves.

Willowbank Location