Tuatara

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tuatara-photokete-250h.jpg
 Fact file:

  • The tuatara is found only in New Zealand.
  • Tuatara are now found only on small islands off the coast of New Zealand because of animals such as wild cats, rodents, and pigs.
  • Tuatara are carnivores, they eat insects and sometimes small lizards.
  • A tuatara can live up to 100 years.
  • The female lays 8-15 eggs once every 3 to 4 years.
  • There are 50,000-60,000 tuatara left; but half of these are found on one island; Stephens Island in Cook Strait.

Question 2Change answer

a)  Why are tuatara not found in the North or South Island?

Question

b)  Which one of the following animals would the tuatara be most likely to eat?

    • Small birds

    • Rats

    • Beetles

    • Frogs

Question 2Change answer

c)  Which one part of the tuatara breeding pattern may have helped cause a decrease in their numbers?

Question 2Change answer

d)  On some offshore islands where tuatara are found there are still kiore or Polynesian rats.
     How could this rat affect the numbers of tuatara?