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Which animals prey on adult tuatara?
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tuatara
The species is the sole living member of the reptile order Rhynchocephalia.
While adult tuatara are largely protected from many predators due to their nocturnal habits, they are occasionally preyed upon by hawks, gulls, and kingfishers.1
Additionally, the introduction of non-native mammals—such as cats and pigs—has posed a serious threat to tuatara populations. While the kiore (Polynesian rat) is noted for preying heavily on eggs and young tuatara, the presence of these introduced mammals on various islands has contributed to the species being considered seriously threatened with extinction.1