TUATARA: Dedication to Your Cause

Although Tuatara resembles a lizard, He is not one. Tuatara is the last surviving species of the ancient order of Rhynchocephalia (“beak-heads”). Only his family of Sphenodontidae (“wedge-toothed”) is left of this group of reptiles. The rest of the Rhynchocephalia went extinct about 60 million years ago. Because of that, Tuatara is often thought of as a “living fossil.” (However, He has actually evolved to live in modern times.) Because of his link to prehistoric reptiles, scientists can study Tuatara to see how lizards and snakes evolved.

Tuatara has distinctive characteristics that makes Him different from lizards. He has fused jaw teeth, and a beak formed by overhanging upper teeth. (This is what gives Tuatara, a “beak-head.”) Like some dinosaurs, Tuatara has a large opening in his skull behind his eye socket. He also has a third eyelid that passes over his open eyes. Tuatara has gastralia (“abdominal ribs”) which lizards and snakes do not. All these qualities indicate that his lineage is older than theirs.

Tuatara’s most notable feature is his ridge of small spines, which runs from his head to his tail. The Maori of New Zealand call this reptile “tuatara,” which means “peaks on the back.” When threatened, Tuatara will raise these spines. To startle his enemies, He elevates his spines and opens his bright red mouth.

Unlike lizards, Tuatara has a tolerance for exceptionally cool temperatures. He has colder blood than any other active reptile. Because of his slow metabolism, Tuatara spends little energy and much of his time in his snug burrow. When resting, He breathes only once per minute, and while walking, only once every seven seconds. Because of these factors, Tuatara can live beyond 100 years, longer than any lizard. However, it takes about twenty years for him to become an adult.

Legally protected in New Zealand since 1895, Tuatara’s numbers still steadily declined. The local kiore (rats) ate Tuatara’s eggs both on the mainland as well as on the coastal islands. Since Tuatara reproduce very slowly (once every five years), this became a great disaster. Tuatara simply could not recover from the losses inflicted by the kiore. Starting in the 1980s, a concerted effort by the government, volunteers, and Maori iwi (tribes) stopped Tuatara’s decline. They removed kiore from coastal islands and re-established Tuatara populations, thereby increasing his “safe homes” to 37 islands. For the first time in hundreds of years, Tuatara now live on Mainland New Zealand at the Karori Wildlife Sanctuary in Wellington.

Tuatara teaches dedication. The people of New Zealand are determined to keep Tuatara, one of their iconic animals, from going extinct. Spending tremendous amounts of energy, money, and time, people raised captive young, eradicated kiore from various islands, and cared for re-introduced populations. Today Tuatara has been returned to many places where He went extinct. Imagine the help that this distinctive reptile can give you to find your life’s mission. He can inspire to dedicate yourself to a worthy cause. Just do not think of Tuatara as “an ordinary lizard,” since He is neither.
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The picture is of Henry, the world's oldest Tuatara in captivity at Invercargill, New Zealand. Still active at 111 years of age.

Picture of Henry: By KeresH (Own work), via Wikimedia Commons. Title:  "Henry at Invercargill"

KIWI: Sacredness of Being Contrary

Unable to fly, Kiwi instead probes about the forest floor looking for tasty bugs. The sensitive hairs around her bill help Her to sense the underground movements of Worms. Also, at the end of her curved beak are nostrils for which She use to smell with (unusual for Birds).

This plump little Bird has many features similar to Mammals. Like Badger, She lives in a series of underground burrows that She has dug. In addition, Her bristly feathers resemble soft mammal fur. Furthermore unlike other Birds, Kiwi has two working ovaries.

The Maori of New Zealand called Kiwi “Te manu huna a Tane”, (the Hidden Bird of Tane Mahuta, the God of the Forest). Making high ceremonial robes (kahu kiwi) out of her feathers, the Maori hold Kiwi in high regard,. They tell of how She surrendered her fine feathers for the greater good. To save the trees, Kiwi chose to live on the forest floor hunting for harmful Insects. Today the Maori are guardians (kaitiaki) of the Kiwi, helping to save Her from extinction.

Many people think of Kiwi as a shy retiring Bird. However, people of New Zealand know different, and can attest to her bad temper. This feisty Bird uses her sharp claws and strong legs to draw blood. Sometimes, this can be deadly since Kiwi’s heavy legs are filled with marrow (much like Mammals).

In the 1880s, Kiwi became known outside New Zealand when She appeared on the regimental badges of New Zealand troops. During World War I, soldiers from New Zealand carved a giant Kiwi (the Bulford Kiwi) in the chalk hill above Sling Camp in England. Today, people from New Zealand are known as “Kiwis”.

Kiwi is an example of the “Contrary”, which some cultures consider to be sacred. Contraries challenge our notions of what is proper and true. The Maori understood Kiwi’s sacredness. A Bird who does not fly, Kiwi opens us to other ideas beyond our ordinary traditions. (But do not be so contrary that you hurt people as Kiwi can do with her sharp claws.)