models". A reptile with links to the dinosaur, the native tuatara is found mainly on islands around New Zealand's coast. Every species of this reptile family, except the tuatara, died out around 65 million years ago. Tuatara can live for over 100 years, and were once found throughout New Zealand. Now only around 30,000 are found on protected offshore islands. They are about 60 cm long and have a third "eye" on the top of heir heads; tuataras sleep during the winter, and they use the third eye to wake themselves up in spring. New Zealand's moa was the only wingless bird ever known. The giant moa, one of eleven species of moa, was also the tallest known, standing up to 3 metres. Maori hunted moa, and it is believed the birds became extinct around 400 years ago. A kiwi is a flightless nocturnal native bird, and the national bird of New Zealand.
after periods of absences. It can be heard at any time of day but most frequently shortly after dawn and especially when the colour drains from the forest after sunset Reptiles Reptiles of Australia are a diverse group of animals, widely distributed across the continent. Three of the four orders of reptiles are native to Australia: Testudines, Squamata and Crocodilia. The only missing extant order are the tuataras, which are endemic to New Zealand. Australia has a large diversity of reptiles, with over 860 species. The most diverse group are the snakes and lizards. The snakes and lizards are especially diverse in the arid areas of Australia, where diversity of other fauna is generally low. Spinifex grass is a major habitat which allows them to remain in a relatively cool, moist area. Australia has a large array of reptiles which can be dangerous to humans
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