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Story: Tuatara

Male and female tuatara

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Male and female tuatara

These tuatara were photographed on Stephens Island, Cook Strait, in 1972. The male (left) has a more prominent crest of spines along its back, neck and tail, and is larger than the female. Adult males typically weigh about 700 grams, and females 450 grams.

Using this item

Department of Conservation

Reference: 10036438

by J. L. Kendrick

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.

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How to cite this page

Charles Daugherty and Susan Keall, Tuatara – Life history, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/14976/male-and-female-tuatara (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Charles Daugherty and Susan Keall, published 1 March 2009.