The reptiles and amphibians of New Zealand are almost completely endemic.
All amphibians are unique to the country and 99% of the reptiles are as well.
The reptiles and amphibians of New Zealand are almost completely endemic.
All amphibians are unique to the country and 99% of the reptiles are as well.
There are many unique and interesting creatures to be found, such as the
tuatara. The tuatara is considered to be a "living fossil" because it is
the only surviving species of the order RHYNCHOCEPHALIA. Althought it may
resemble a lizard, the tuatara differs from these by having a complete lower
temporal arch on its skull, behind the eye. It also has a third eye on the
top of its head, which serves as a light detector. They can grow to be 60cm
in length, with spines on it's back. The tuatara idealy lives in temperatures
ranging from 12 to 17 degrees celcius. This is by far the coldest temperature
for any reptile to reach its peak of activity. This may account for the slow
bodily processes and growth rates. Tuatara take 20 years to mature and may live
to be more than 100 years old.
The frogs of New Zealand are another example of a "living fossil". These frogs
are thought to be the most primitive frogs in the world. They lack many features
found in other frogs such as
ear drums, vocal sacks, webbing between toes
and hind feet, as well as no tadpole stage. They also have "tail wagging
muscles", but no tail.