Tuatara — size comparison

The tuatara is a reptile endemic to New Zealand. It resembles a lizard but belongs to a separate sphenodontian lineage. It has a massive head, stocky legs and a

Silhouette comparison

Length

wzdłuż osi ciała · od pyska do końca ogonaReference values · details in the profiles

Tuatara

Sphenodon punctatus

ok. 50 cmPrzykładowy dorosły samiec
total length

wzdłuż osi ciała · od pyska do końca ogonaMeasurement: side

Mass
Nie przypisano masy przedstawionemu osobnikowi
Shared ground line. The scale follows the measurement stated for each animal. Boy: approx. 115 cm
Total lengthScale in cm
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TuataraTotal lengthapprox. 50 cm

The scale compares the named dimensions. View direction and measurement points are given for each animal.

Scale based on the stated dimensions for each animal

Boy: approx. 115 cm
Tuatara — size comparison — facts and sources

The tuatara is a reptile endemic to New Zealand. It resembles a lizard but belongs to a separate sphenodontian lineage. It has a massive head, stocky legs and a crest of spines along its neck and back. The crest is more prominent in males and features in displays to females and rivals.

It uses burrows, scrub and seabird colonies. It eats mainly invertebrates, including beetles, spiders and wētā, as well as lizards, eggs and chicks. It may remain active in cool conditions but also basks. At low temperatures it shelters in a burrow.

It grows slowly and can live for several decades. Slow reproduction makes recovery from egg and juvenile losses to introduced rats difficult. Removing rodents from islands enables restoration to former sites.

Około 50 cm długości samca wraz z ogonem według DOC. Ilustracje AI są przybliżonymi rekonstrukcjami, nie fotografiami zmierzonych osobników. Skala boku wynika z opisanej osi anatomicznej. Przód przenosi skalę przez odpowiadającą głębokość głowy, z przybliżeniem perspektywy i anatomii. Wysokość pozy, szerokość i ułożenie przydatków nie są niezależnymi pomiarami gatunku.

Measurement sources