Metazoa info

[Duke Guilmon]

Northern Tuatara



Sphenodon puncatatus

Size:61cm males, 45cm females

Weight: 1 kg males, 0.5kg females

Life expectancy:Northern tuataras can live well over 100 years

When it first appeared: This animal first appeared in the Pleistocene, 126 thousand years ago.

Location: Northern Tuataras are found in the northern parts of new zealand.



Taxonomy:
Class:Reptilia
Clade:Sauropsida
Clade:Eureptilia
Clade:Romeriida
Cladeiapsida
Clade:Neodiapsida
Infraclass:Lepidosauromorpha
Superorder:Lepidosauria
Order:Rhynchocephalia
Suborder:Sphendontia
Family:Sphenodontidae
Genus:Sphenodon
Species:Sphenodon puncatatus

Diet: Northern tuataras are carnivores, eating things like eggs, insects, and even young northern tuataras.

Anatomy: Northern tuataras are very primitive when compared to other modern reptiles. Their brains are very similar to that of amphibians, more similar than other reptiles in fact. However it still has modern reptile traits like its gastralia. The tuataras also have a third "eye" which is used for sensing temperatures. Northern tuataras also can tolerate temperatures colder then most reptiles can, with a 16-20 degrees Celsius optimal body temperature.

Behavior:Northern tuataras are nocturnal while they are adults and diurnal while they are young. This is so the young can avoid being cannibalized. Northern tuataras are solitary and will spend much of its life in the burrows they live in. Northern tuataras are also territorial and will bite anything that disturbs it burrow.

Reproduction: Northern tuatara are slow when reproducing. The mating occurs during midsummer. Northern tuataras reach sexual maturity at 10-20 years of age. Males court females into mating with them. The males skin turns dark and his crest begin to raise. He will then move towards a female with his legs stiffened. If a female accepts him, she will let him mount her, if not she will go to her burrow. Males do not have a penis, so instead he gives sperm to the female through his cloaca. The female will have a gestation period of one-three years and seven months. It then takes 12-15 months before the eggs hatch. This animal has the slowest reproduction time of all extant reptiles. This reptile can mate at any age, even when they are past 100 years old. The sex of the eggs is also determined by temperature. Warmer eggs tend to be male, and cooler eggs tend to be female. Temperatures of 21 degrees Celsius will have a 50/50 chance of it being male or female. Temperatures of 18 degrees Celsius will be all females.

Relationship with other animals:
The seabirds that live in the same area as the northern tuatara give these animals food through the guano they produce because it is the food source of many land dwelling arthropods. Humans once drove this animal to near extinction, but thanks to efforts, this animals population has recovered.



Did I mention the seabirds also make a great meal?

Other sources:

http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/ac...punctatus/

http://www.doc.govt.nz/conservation/nati...s/tuatara/

http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/tuatara/page-1