New Zealand's own Dinosaur!

[Kapaibro]

The Tuatara!

Tuatara

One of only 2 native reptile species in New Zealand, the Tuatara resembles iguana type lizards, but is actually closer to living fossils such as sharks and crocodilian species.

This highly endangered species graces the New Zealand 5 cent piece, and is one of the most unique creatures you're likely to come across!

The temperature that the eggs are incubated at completely affects the gender of the hatchilings! The males can reproduce yearly, but the females only every four years. If the eggs are incubated at 18 deg(Celsius) they will all be female, 20 deg 80% likely to be female, 21 deg 50/50 whether male/female and 22 degrees 80% likely to be male!

More Tuatara Information

[Dean]

Does New Zealand have a significant number of nonliving fossils?

I live in area where errosion allows you to go in any direction and come across fossil remains. I've developed a mild interest in the field. It is an entertaining way to kill an afternoon when the fishing is bad.

[Kapaibro]

Does New Zealand have a significant number of nonliving fossils?

I live in area where errosion allows you to go in any direction and come across fossil remains. I've developed a mild interest in the field. It is an entertaining way to kill an afternoon when the fishing is bad.

The Tuatara is considered a living fossil as it has such unique physiology that it is so vastly different from all other lizard species. It's DNA makeup is closely related to extinct species, and also crocodilian creatures(alligators crocodiles etc) which are called 'living fossils'.

Very cool looking animals though!

[Bronco_f1]

I've been in the Auckland, NZ airport once. I don't know if you saw the Maori portal. The men of wood had long....feet (I guess you'll know what I mean)

[Kapaibro]

I've been in the Auckland, NZ airport once. I don't know if you saw the Maori portal. The men of wood had long....feet (I guess you'll know what I mean)

Yep, those carvings are very stylized! It's all about revering ones ancestors, and scaring the tourists!

[arapaho]

Yep, those carvings are very stylized! It's all about revering ones ancestors, and scaring the tourists!

or to bring in more women to stay a while

[Archimedes Owl]

Ok.

I'll ask the question all of us are thinking:

What does it taste like??

[Bronco_f1]

Ok.

I'll ask the question all of us are thinking:

What does it taste like??

Those are sculptures, and I hope nobody knows the answer to that question

[Bronco_f1]

or to bring in more women to stay a while

Like I said above, I don't think women would be interested in a sculpture's.....feet.

Well, some of them might, although that would be kind of freaky

[Bronco_f1]

Yep, those carvings are very stylized! It's all about revering ones ancestors, and scaring the tourists!

Yes, it scared me alright

I don't know about the women though...

[Archimedes Owl]

Those are sculptures, and I hope nobody knows the answer to that question

I was asking about the lizards not the sculptures.