Atlas species information

Habitat

• Coastal forest and clearings, especially where the ground has been tunnelled by nesting seabirds.
• Nocturnal, but emerges by day to bask.

Description

• Olive-green or slate-grey; finely speckled.
• Males may reach up to 280 mm snout-vent length (610 mm in total length) and weigh up to 1300 g; females are smaller and rarely exceed 500 g.
• No external ear-hole or eardrum.
• A ridge with crest of soft spines runs along the head, back and tail, more strongly developed in males and is raised during courtship displays.

Distribution

• The species was formerly widespread throughout New Zealand (as indicated by the occurrence of subfossil bones).
• This species is now restricted to offshore islands along the east coast of the North Island from Northland to Bay of Plenty and Marlborough Sounds.

Notes

• The specific name means "spotted".
• The Maori name "tuatara" means "peaks on the back".
• Lays eggs that are buried in the ground.
• Two populations have been translocated to date: one population from Moutoki Island to Moutohora Island and one population from Middle Island in the Mercury Group to Tiritiri Matangi Island.
• The population on Little Barrier Island, of which a few individuals have been found, has previously been suggested as a separate subspecies (Sphenodon punctatus reischeki).
• The paper "Genetic diversity and taxonomy: a reassessment of species designation in tuatara (Sphenodon: Reptilia): Hay, J, Sarre, S, Lambert, D, Allendorf, F, Daugherty, C (2009)" recommends that Sphenodon guntheri and Sphenodon punctatus 'Cook Strait' species should no longer be regarded as taxonomically distinct species but should be regarded as a distinct management unit.
• Notes from Sphenodon punctatus "Cook Strait" (now combined with this record): Lays eggs that are buried in the ground.
• Notes about NZ threat classification (Hitchmough 2002): Four mammal-free island populations only.
• Two populations have been translocated to date: one population from Stephens Island to Whakaterepapanui Island and, one population from Stephens Island to Karori Wildlife Sanctuary.
• In March 2009, a tuatara hatchling was found at the fenced wildlife sanctuary, on the New Zealand mainland, for the first time in about 200 years.
• The paper (Genetic diversity and taxonomy: a reassessment of species designation in tuatara (Sphenodon: Reptilia): Hay, J.
• , Sarre, S.
• , Lambert, D.
• , Allendorf, F.
• , Daugherty, C.
• (2009).
• ) recommends that the Sphenodon species should no longer be regarded as taxonomically distinct species but should be regarded as a distinct management unit.
• Notes about 2012-14 cycle of NZ threat classification for Reptiles: (Hitchmough, et al.
• 2012): Recovering on many islands (including Taranga - recently eradicated), secure on many others.
• Translocated to two more mainland islands and another island.
• Should have been Relict B in last listing (error).