200-million-year-old ‘three-eyed’ reptiles thriving at new home in Chester Zoo

A reptile that walked the earth long before the dinosaurs has found a new home at Chester Zoo.

The tuatara, a species dating back nearly 200 million years, is now thriving in its specially designed habitat at the zoo, marking a significant milestone in conservation history.

In 2016, experts at Chester Zoo became the first to ever breed tuatara outside of their native home – with the impressive feat taking several decades to achieve.

For 200 million years tuataras have predominantly been found in New Zealand, but its ancestors once flourished across most of the world’s continents including Europe, Asia, North and South America, as well as parts of Africa.

Fossils suggest they died out everywhere around 70 million years ago –  except for the tuatara that survived only on a number of small, isolated offshore islands in New Zealand, where they still live today.

This placed Chester Zoo as the only facility in the UK, and one of just two in Europe, to house and care for these extraordinary reptiles.

Tuataras are not only a window into our planet’s prehistoric past but also a crucial subject in understanding reptilian evolution.

Despite their ancient lineage, these creatures are now highly threatened, with only an estimated 50,000 remaining in the wild.

The newly created habitat at the zoo, home to a group of six tuataras, closely recreates the natural conditions and seasonal environments of their native habitat, offering a sanctuary where these ancient reptiles can thrive as part of a conservation breeding programme.

This environment is crucial for the ongoing conservation breeding programme aimed at ensuring the survival of this remarkable species.

Karen Lambert, Lead Keeper on the zoo’s Ectotherms department, said: “Tuataras are one of nature’s greatest marvels, providing an incredible window into our planet’s prehistoric past.

“Having survived for around 200 million years, these unique animals are crucial to our understanding of reptilian evolution.

“In 2016, we became the first to breed them outside of New Zealand after nearly four decades of effort.

“This really showcases the extraordinary lengths we will go to safeguard a species.

“The information we gathered from our breeding successes has been shared with the international conservation community, so that we can collectively work to protect their future on the planet.”

The tuatara’s curious “third eye,” located on the top of its head, further underscores its uniqueness. Although not used for vision, this eye plays a role in regulating the tuatara’s body temperature, circadian rhythm, navigation, and hormone regulation.

Chester Zoo first began caring for tuatara in 1962 and is currently the only zoo in the UK and one of just two in Europe where the species is found.

Experts say one of the most curious body parts of the tuatara is a ‘third eye’ on the top of its head.

The ‘eye’ has a retina, cornea, a lens and nerve endings, but it is not used for sight. Instead, it helps to sense the intensity of sunlight and thermoregulate body temperature, circadian rhythm, navigation and hormone regulation.

The zoo plays a pivotal role in the global conservation and scientific landscape, working to ensure the survival of the tuatara and more than 500 other species.

Tuatara Fact File

• Scientific name: Sphenodon punctatus
• Historical range: Flourished as long ago as 230 million years before dinosaurs
• Current range: Extinct everywhere except New Zealand for the last 70 million years
• Unique feature: Possesses a ‘third eye’ for thermoregulation and navigation
• Maturity: Tuatara reach sexual maturity around 20 years old
• Reproduction: Tuatara mate like birds, as they lack a penis
• Lifespan: Can live up to 120 years
• Chester Zoo population: One male, eight females