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Male Tuatara


Male Tuatara
Photo Information
Copyright: Sue Way (sway) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 303 W: 85 N: 308] (1224)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005-04-12
Categories: Reptiles
Camera: Sony Cybershot DSC-F828
Exposure: f/2.8, 1/125 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): New Zealand native fauna & flora, RARE or SIGNIFICANT contributions to TN 1 [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2005-06-30 0:50
Viewed: 2600
Points: 16
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
This is a male Tuatara. I caught him at The National Aquarium in Napier. They don't move very fast so was easy to catch( oncamera):-)

These beautiful creatures are on the endangered list so are very rare in the wild. Most Tuatara that are wild in New Zealand Live on Pest free off shore Islands.

It is a reptile but not a lizard.

It is the last remaining member of the ancient group of reptiles, Sphenodontia.

Tuatara is a Maori word meaning "peaks on the back".

The tuatara is famous because it is a very ancient – it is the only survivor of a large group of reptiles that roamed the earth at the same time as dinosaurs. It hasn't changed its form much in over 225 million years! The relatives of tuatara died out about 60 million years ago which is why the tuatara is sometimes called a ‘living fossil’.

Tuatara reach sexual maturity between 15 and 20 years.

1. Once every two to five years the female will be ready to mate
2. Males will sit outside their burrows and when a female walks past he will circle her. If the female is interested they will mate.
3. About 8-9 months after mating the female will lay and bury 6-10 eggs in a sunny nesting site
4. After 11-16 months the baby tuatara will hatch

Like many other endangered species in New Zealand, a slow breeding cycle has not enabled the tuatara population to keep up with the death rate caused by predators and people.
bedford67, honza, Janice, coasties, TAZ has marked this note useful
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To Toucadoo: Tuatarasway 1 09-16 07:16
To ToM: Tuatarasway 2 07-03 04:55
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Critiques [Translate]

Hello Sue,

Beautiful composition for this reptile. The comment is well made and instructive.
TFS, cordially.

Belle composition pour ce reptile. Le commentaire est bien fait et instructif.
Merci pour le partage, cordialement,
J-Patrick

  • Great 
  • honza Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 537 W: 0 N: 716] (4191)
  • [2005-06-30 3:09]

Intresting photo. Very good composition, nice color and perfect sharpness.

  • Great 
  • ddg Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 855 W: 23 N: 942] (5111)
  • [2005-06-30 5:51]

Hi Sue,it's a very nice close up with grey colors on the rocks and animal. The mimics is perfect. TFS Didier.

  • Great 
  • ToM (59)
  • [2005-07-01 6:54]
  • [+]

Sue,

Lovely Tuatara. Unfortunately when I was in NZ I couldn't make any nice photo of the Tuatara :( But this one is great.
Nice contrast, colors and sharpness

ToM

  • Great 
  • Janice Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3315 W: 148 N: 6113] (18648)
  • [2005-07-01 18:24]

Nice one Sue, the tuatara isn't on dis[play much, so this is great to see. His colours tone in well with his surrounds and he's nice and clear. Well shown, thank you.

Hi Sue

Excellent capture. What a delightful example of our 'dinosaur'. Good sharp details. Excellent light and colour. Wonderfully composed. Nice job. Thanks.

  • Great 
  • TAZ Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2241 W: 47 N: 3167] (10926)
  • [2005-07-17 3:50]

Beautiful and interesting shot for this superb Tuatara ! Composition, details and sharpness are good ! Thanks for sharing Sue.

Thank you for sharing an opportunity to view the Tuatara, I plan to come over to your beautiful country of New Zealand to photograph it's great wonders. Paul :)

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