Tuatara (53/505)

Sphenodon-punctatus-24183.jpg Sooty shearwater.ThumbnailsTuatara

A tuatara basking in dappled sunlight on the forest floor. Little more than a dozen of these ancient reptiles survived the invasion of Hautaru by kiore, the Pacific rat. Saved by their large size and long lifespan (likely over 100 years), the offspring of those survivors are recolonizing the island now that the rats have been eradicated.

Scientific name
Sphenodon punctatus
Common names
tuatara
Location
Hauturu / Little Barrier Island, New Zealand
Photo ID
24183