DSC_4447 Red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans) now an invasive species in many parts of the world. Feral populations of this introduced pest now breed in several wild places in northern NZ, causing concern. Here Dr Nicolas Ling of the University of Waikato, holds a large feral female captured from the wild in the Bay of Plenty. The small 'harmless' juvenile in Nic's other hand, is what is still sold in pet shops throughout NZ. Once these small pets grow too large for their owners some are illegally 'dumped' into our waterways, where they have become one more unwanted, introduced predator. Hamilton *
11003-97004 Tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus) large male from Stephens Island amongst Pyrossia fern *
11003-97302 Tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus) eating large male tree weta (Hemideina crassidens crassicruris). Tuatara living in the forest on Stephens Island are primarily insectivorous, preferring weta and darkling beetles. Stephens Island *
