Index / Living Fossils / Tuatara
Living Fossils · LC Least Concern
Tuatara
Sphenodon punctatus
Not a lizard but the last survivor of an order of reptiles that flourished alongside the first dinosaurs — with a 'third eye' on its head.
LC · Least Concern
Overview
Not a lizard but the last survivor of an order of reptiles that flourished alongside the first dinosaurs — with a 'third eye' on its head.
reptilenew zealandliving fossil
Field data
| IUCN status | LC · Least Concern |
|---|---|
| Population | — |
| Trend | stable |
| Last assessed | 2019 |
| Class / Order | Reptilia · Rhynchocephalia |
| Family | Sphenodontidae |
| Range | New Zealand |
Why it matters
Evolutionary distinction
- The sole living member of the order Rhynchocephalia.
- Has a light-sensitive parietal 'third eye' beneath the skin of its skull.
From the collection
Take one home
art print
Tuatara art print
Museum-grade art print from the Tuatara plate.
Add to cart →
plush
Tuatara plush
Museum-grade plush from the Tuatara plate.
Add to cart →
notebook
Tuatara notebook
Museum-grade notebook from the Tuatara plate.
Add to cart →
Fulfilled on demand. Connect your Fourthwall / print-on-demand store to make these live.
Sources