11003-96102 Tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus) a small female in forest litter on Little Barrier Island. This was once considered a subspecies, 'Reischeks tuatara' (Sphenodon punctatus reischeki). However it is indistinguishable from other northern tuatara populations. In 1991/92 only eight tuatara could be found on Little Barrier, and the island was overrun with kiore (Rattus exulans). Fortunately the introduced rats have now been eradicated and tuatara numbers are growing again. Little Barrier Island *
11003-97115 Tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus) portrait of head at sunset. Stephens Island *
11003-97116 Tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus) portrait at sunset. Stephens Island *
