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Tuatara distribution

Tuatara distribution

Wild tuatara are found on nearshore islands, occurring on the mainland only where there are captive rearing facilities or predator-free refuges. Fossil records show that tuatara were once widespread in the North and South islands. Scientists cannot tell whether the fossil bones are from the two surviving tuatara species, or from undescribed species, now extinct.

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Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand

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How to cite this page:

Charles Daugherty and Susan Keall. 'Tuatara', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, updated 25-Sep-11
URL: http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/tuatara/2/1