Tuatara
At the Invercargill museum there is some pioneering work being done on how to breed Tuatara in captivity. Bit by bit more is being learnt about what they need. It’s a complex problem involving kinds of food, light levels, etc.There is greater and greater success being achieved and currently there are something like 30 tuatara there. Henry, the biggest is more than 100 years old.
Last week I was able to hold one medium sized specimen, but for some reason I find that I have quite a strong fear of touching reptiles. I don’t know why, they have never done me any harm, the fear seems to be built into my brain. They feel so cold which I always find something of a shock.
I don’t know if I am going to be able to take a photo of a real tuatara but outside the museum there is a large statue of one. I’m always a sucker for photographing hands and feet hence the photo above. It’s really no more than a sketch, an exercise, but out of interest I’ve made 2 versions, one in black and white, and one in colour.