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The tuatara is a reptile of the family Sphenodontidae, endemic to New Zealand. They are the only surviving members of the Sphenodontians. Tuataras resemble lizards, but are equally related to lizards and snakes, which are their closest living relatives. For this reason, they are of great interest in the study of the of lizards and snakes, and for the reconstruction of the appearance and habits of the earliest diapsids (the group that additionally includes birds and crocodiles).
The tuatara has been classified as endangered species since 1895. Tuataras,
like many of New Zealand's native animals, are threatened by habitat loss
and introduced species, such as mustelids and rats. They were extinct on the
mainland, with the remaining populations confined to 32 offshore islands,
until the first mainland release into the heavily fenced and monitored Karori
Wildlife Sanctuary in 2005.
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