The 'lizard' called Henry who becomes a father at the age of 111

London, January 27 (ANI): A lizard-like captive reptile in New Zealand has unexpectedly become a father at the ripe old age of 111.

The centenarian tuatara, named Henry, is said to have become hostile toward prospective mates after receiving treatment for a cancer.

He was thought well past the mating game until being caught canoodling with a female named Mildred last March, which resulted in 11 babies being hatched on Monday.

Tuatara are endangered New Zealand creatures, reports the Scotsman.

Though they resembles lizards, they descend from a distinct lineage of reptile that walked the earth with the dinosaurs 225 million years ago.

Lindsay Hazley, curator of the Southland Museum and Art Gallery, where the hatchlings were born, said that they would boost the tuatara's genetic diversity. (ANI)