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Kōrero: Tuatara

Tuatara species

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Tuatara species

There are two species of tuatara. One is the Brothers Island tuatara (Sphenodon guntheri, pictured), which, until recent re-introductions to sanctuaries, only survived on North Brother Island in Cook Strait. The other species is the common tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus), which survives on many other offshore islands. They look similar but are genetically distinct.

Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi

Private collection

by Susan Keall

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.

Ngā whakaahua me ngā rauemi katoa o tēnei kōrero

Me pēnei te tohu i te whārang

Charles Daugherty rāua ko Susan Keall, Tuatara – Tuatara islands, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/mi/photograph/14987/tuatara-species (accessed 4 June 2026).

He kōrero nā Charles Daugherty rāua ko Susan Keall, i tāngia i te 1 March 2009.

Comments

Jona
03 April 2018
How many tuataras are left in the world?