The Māori name tuatara translates roughly as ‘spiny back’. Tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus) have a primitive body structure that has barely changed for 220 million years. They have a variable body temperature which enables them to survive in New Zealand’s temperate climate. Living in burrows, they hunt at night around their burrow entrances. On the menu are wetas, worms, lizards, millipedes and even small seabirds. This tuatara is a male.
Using this item
Department of Conservation
Reference:
10036432
Photograph by Peter Morrison
This item has been provided for private study purposes (such as school projects, family and local history research) and any published reproduction (print or electronic) may infringe copyright law. It is the responsibility of the user of any material to obtain clearance from the copyright holder.
Add new comment