Tuatara Franz Josef wild life centre

These reptiles are native to NZ , the name Tuatara is derived from the Maori language meaning peaks on the back , they shed their skins annually and can live up to 60yrs
They eat nettles wetas worms spiders and millipedes

[Saxa van Eijnsbergen]

Love this!

[Heather]

Wow! So prehistoric looking! And fascinating info about the origin of its name!

[Judith Johnson]

Great close-up up and colour

[Babs]

He is gorgeous, very similar to our water dragons.

[Kathy]

I like the texture of its skin.

[Dawn]

@overalvandaan Thanking you Saxa and for fav so much appreciated.
@365projectorgheatherb Thanking you Heather
@busylady Thanking you Judith
@onewing Thanking you Babs how interesting it looks similar
@randystreat Thanking you Kathy

[bruni]

I didn't know they shed their skin yearly and that they have a lifespan of 60 years...that's awesome and so is your picture.

[Maggiemae]

You were lucky to see this! Did you know (I didn't) 'Though it has become closely associated with Southland, the tuatara has become extinct on New Zealand's North and South Island.'

[Dawn]

@bruni Thanking you Bruni you are very kind

[George]

I’m not sure I’d want it in my hand.

[gloria jones]

Neat shot

[Dawn]

@gaf005 Hello George these don’t hurt or bite not poisonous, thanking you and also for fav so much appreciated

[Dawn]

@maggiemae Hello there Maggiemae yes I did know that an amazing reptile thanking you @seattlite Thanking you Gloria and also for fav so much appreciated

[Islandgirl]

Great shot and interesting info!

[katy]

They look very similar to a bearded dragon. A fascinating reptile. Are you the one holding it?

[Dawn]

@radiogirl Thanking you
@grammyn Hello Katy no unfortunately we weren’t allowed to touch either

[FBailey]

I thought he was a bearded dragon too - was he fully grown?

[Dawn]

@fbailey Thanking you and yes it is

[Diana]

Lovely shot of this beautiful critter, interesting info too.

[Dawn]

@ludwigsdiana Thanking you Diana yes they are but like a lot of birds animals etc is on endangered list

[Diane]

An interesting little animal. Nice shot.

[*lynn]

Wow, what a shot!

[Lois]

Great close up!

[eDorre]

Cool close shot!

[Dawn]

@eudora Thanking you Diane
@lynnz Thanking you Lynn
@loweygrace Thanking you Lois
@edorreandresen Thanking you eDorre

[bkb in the city]

Great capture

[Dawn]

@bkbinthecity Thanking you

[Christina]

They are pretty special

[Issi Bannerman]

Interesting reptile!

[Dawn]

@christinav Thanking you Christina yes they are
@jamibann Thanking you Issi

[Peter]

Look like something from Jurassic Park, lovely image Dawn:)

[Dione Giorgio]

Beautiful shot and reptile. Except for the colour it looks very much like a lizard. Fav.

[mittens (Marilyn)]

Wow, very cool.

[Fisher Family]

A nice close-up, and interesting background information.

Ian

[Margaret Brown]

Nice close up and info, it’s very long lived!

[Renee Salamon]

He’s lovely, great close up

[Dawn]

@pcoulson Thanking you Peter @sangwann Thanking you Dione and for fav so much appreciated
@mittens Thanking you Marilyn
@fishers Thanking you Ian
@craftymeg Thanking you Margaret
@rensala Thanking you Renee

[Delwyn Barnett]

Wonderful to be able to see one of these Dawn.

[Steve Chappell]

Nice capture, cool lizard