111 year old Tuatara to be a dad!

[GECKOFREAK]

Better late than never LOL!
Here is the article.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7544749.stm

 

[Halley]

I want to know how they know he is so old.

Cool either way though.

 

[goReptiles]

I remember looking over these guys in zoology. neat.

 

[Lena]

If only Tuataras weren't so endangered! They're adorable.

I want one.. Hehe.

I find it fascinating that they belong to their own order! They aren't lizards, but something much older.

 

[malt_geckos]

wow! I had no idea that a lizard could live to that age!

 

[stevehiss]

First off, these guys are not lizards at all.

They are members of a monotypic order called Rhyncocephalia. They are the true last remaining remnants of the dinosaur age.

Their scientific name is Sphenodon punctatus. They are very long-lived and take a long time to mature. Until the last 10 years no one has known much about them. They are now on display in several American zoos. There are only 3 US zoos to house these. They are the Dallas zoo (1 male, 3 females), St. Louis zoo (1 male, 3 females) and the Toledo zoo (1 male, 2 females) The total worldwide in captivity is 17 males, 28 females and 27 unsexed animals.

There is now another species that was identified using DNA work and is called Sphenodon guntheri. There is only 1 zoo worldwide working with these and that is the San Diego zoo. They have 3 males and 5 females.

These are very cool animals and very, very unique.

Sorry for all the stats. That is the zoo person coming out in me.

 

[GECKOFREAK]

Great post, Steve! Thanks for the extra info. These are very interesting animals for sure.:main_yes:

 

[Ian S.]

Coolest species on the entire freaking planet IMO! (till tomorrow)
Good info!!!

 

[paulnj]

Great info Steve! So Steve do you have any personal experience with them? If so I would love to hear more about them.

 

[archeryreptiles]

that's my all time favorite lizard. they are just too cool looking

 

[jakemyster44]

I have been lucky enought to see these guys in person... I live close to the Toledo zoo, thay sure are something!