Henry, the Tuatara Reptile, a Dad at 111 Years

Here's a good way to start the week. Henry, the tuatara reptile, has become a father at 111 years of age. The tuatara reptile is supposed to begin mating at twenty years of age. As reported in "The Economic Times" Henry the tuatara waited a little longer than 20 years.

The article, "Henry the reptile becomes dad at 111 years old," goes on to say that Henry just recently discovered sex in March of 2008 and ultimately had a fling with Mildred the tuatara reptile who is in her 70's-talk about robbing the cradle. On the other hand taking 111 years to learn how to procreate might discourage him from working with girls his own age who would be much more experienced.

Last August Mildred laid nine eggs and they all hatched. Henry remains clueless that he's a father.

Tuatara are the only surviving species of the beak-headed reptile grouping known as Sphenodontia that emanated from the era of the dinosaurs 200 million years ago and became extinct 60 million years ago.

The tuatara reptile came from New Zealand and it is believed there area about 100,000 left and the department of Conservation has started a program of growing the population.

Often in our river (the Illinois River) you may find some type of water animal that had been a pet and had been discarded at times even being flushed so it is very possible species can remain "hidden."

The tuatara reptile originally was only able to survive because there were no natural predators around. Later, they were protected by the government and they also move instinctively to predator-free outlying lands.

Tuatara reptiles are not necessarily nice. They live in burrows and come out at night to eat. They are lazy so they just sit around and wait for their natural prey, such as insects and worms, to walk by. Further they will gladly dine on smaller and younger tuatara reptiles.

Two additional characteristics are interesting. The temperature of the soil determines the sex of a baby. If it is warm it will be a male and if cold a female. Further the tuatara reptile has a small third eye on top of its head.

They will be protected for some time to come.

Incidentally I did cover the mating of Henry on Associated Content last August so, if you'd like you can read about that aspect of this wonderful event.

References:

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Wild__Wacky/Henry_the_reptile_becomes_dad_at_111_years_old/articleshow/4032449.cms

http://nzphoto.tripod.com/animal/tuatara.htm

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/934925/henry_the_tuatara_mates_at_111_years.html?cat=8