@steveroberts Thank you. This exhibit really showcases them well compared to exhibits I’ve seen at other zoos where there’s too many places for them to hide.
Oh it really does seem like an incredible exhibit for the Tuataras and very generous spatially and in landscaping foliage etc. Must say am very impressed just by the photos so know seeing in person would be something to behold...but yes can imagine it would be quite difficult to spot them when looking in a lot of the time. Taronga had them in a small 6-7 sq m terrarium in the Serpentaria building so was always a good chance of seeing them (including the infra-red light that could be turned on at the glassfronted cave area at the right-front of the viewing glass, in hindsight feel bad how much turned that light on with the button as a young kid, would of given the Tuataras a break from the light if could repeat history but was a pretty hyperactive and excited reptile enthusiast kid, at least was not like Dudley in Harry Potter banging on the glass lol).
@steveroberts It was rare to see Hendrix, Hamilton Zoo’s male Tuatara in the old exhibit. There was a pipe he could (and did) hide in. They’ve since opened a Tuatara House with multiple exhibits - and even now, you rarely see anything.
Auckland Zoo’s New Zealand precinct is stunning. The Tuatara are housed in The Islands section, one of six geographic areas of New Zealand to be represented. My favourite is The Coast, which includes the fur seal and penguin pools.
Don’t feel bad. I’m sure the Tuatara regarded the light as a null stimulus and paid it next to no attention.
