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New Zealand's Native Animals: Reptiles and Frogs

Tuatara

New Zealand's Native Animals: Reptiles and Frogs

Tuatara are rare, medium-sized reptiles found only in New Zealand. They are the last survivors of an order of reptiles that thrived in the age of the dinosaurs.

Adult tuatara range from about 300 g to 1 kg (10.58 oz to 2.20 lb). They are the only surviving members of the order Sphenodontia, which was well represented by many species during the age of the dinosaurs, some 200 million years ago.

All species except for the tuatara declined and became extinct about 60 million years ago. Tuatara are therefore of huge international interest to biologists. They are recognised internationally and within New Zealand as species in need of active conservation management.

Chevron skink

New Zealand's Native Animals: Reptiles and Frogs

The chevron skink is one of New Zealand's rarest and most secretive lizards.

Hochstetter's frog

New Zealand's Native Animals: Reptiles and Frogs

The most widespread, the Hochstetter's frog has been sighted around the upper half of the North Island, including at Waipu, Great Barrier Island, the Coromandel, central North Island, and the Raukumara Ranges.

It is generally dark brown, grows up to 48 mm long, has partially webbed feet and has more warts than the other native frogs.

Jewelled Gecko

New Zealand's Native Animals: Reptiles and Frogs

The jeweled gecko varies in colour and pattern more than any other New Zealand gecko. Its main populations are on the Otago and Banks Peninsula, although specimens are also found on the eastern slopes of the Southern Alps.

Barrier skink

New Zealand's Native Animals: Reptiles and Frogs

The Barrier skink is known only from alpine habitats at three sites in the south-western South Island.

Archey's frog

New Zealand's Native Animals: Reptiles and Frogs

Archey's frog are only found in the Coromandel and in one site west of Te Kuiti. It is the smallest native frog, growing up to 37 mm long. They live in misty, moist areas around 400 m in altitude.

Te Kakahu skink

New Zealand's Native Animals: Reptiles and Frogs

Te Kakahu/Chalky Island skink is known to only live in one small area in Chalky Inlet, Fiordland.

Hamilton's frog

New Zealand's Native Animals: Reptiles and Frogs

One of the world's most endangered frogs, the Hamilton's frog is only found on Stephens Island in the Cook Strait.

Sinbad skink

New Zealand's Native Animals: Reptiles and Frogs

The rare Sinbad skink is found only in an alpine habitat in Fiordland.

Maud Island frog

New Zealand's Native Animals: Reptiles and Frogs

This frog is found on Maud Island in the Marlborough Sounds. In 1997 DOC transferred some Maud Island frogs to Motuara Island.

Don't forget to read about New Zealand's Native Birds :)

New Zealand's Native Animals: Reptiles and Frogs
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