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Tuatara
Reason for Becoming Endangered
Tuatara are a vulnerable species, they are endangered. Tuatara's numbers have been decreasing ever since the British settlers moved to New Zealand. When the British arrived in New Zealand in the 1800's deforestion rates increased exponentially. Due to the loss of forest it caused many native animals (like the Tuatara) to become endangered as it reduced the amount of inhabitable land available to them. Because there was no good land for the Tuatara its population started to decrease. This is due to it not having the necessary food and breeding grounds needed for survival. By not having the correct environment it is vulnerable to predators as it is only adapted for specific locations.
Tuatara are also endangered due to new species that were introduced by the British. Since the arrival of the British many new animals (mainly mammals) were introduced. Animals such as cats and dogs were introduced. The main predator for Tuatara are polynesian rats. When the British arrived in their ships many of them carried hundreds of rats that now roam free in New Zealand. However, these rats caused extreme harm to the eco system. Polynesian rats prey on many animals including small insects, earthworms, spiders, lizards, avian eggs, hatchlings and of course the Tuatara. Because of this new predator the population of Tuatara greatly decreased. Tuatara were not adapted to these types of predators and because of this many of their numbers were killed or eaten.
Lately, many conservationists have been trying to save the Tuatara and it has worked very well. There are many captive breeding grounds in New Zealand such as Auckland zoo, Wellington zoo, Pukaha Mount Bruce Wildlife Centre and the Southland Museum and Art Gallery in Invercargill
A Ploynesian Rat
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