The baby bearded dragon that has recently arrived at Te Puna Kararehe
Te Puna Kararehe, our Animal Behaviour and Husbandry Centre is excited to announce the safe arrival of two of its newest whānau members, a baby bearded dragon and a young tortoise.
The tiny critters will be nurtured and cared for by students across a range of Animal Health and Welfare programmes with the School of Environmental and Animal Sciences.
Academic Programme Manager Laura Harvey says the baby bearded dragon will be integrated into a number of programmes, with students learning how to handle and care for it, as well as doing some basic training.
“With reptiles becoming more and more commons as pets, it is vital that our students keep up with this ttrens and are comfortable and familiar with these amazing creatures. These two add to our existing reptile whānau of blue-tongue skinks and a leopard gecko, in addition to Unitec being kaitiaki for two native Auckland Green Gecko (Naultinu elegans).”
Laura says “not only are they incredibly cute, reptiles are fascinating creatures, highly intelligent with distinct personalities. The team is looking forward to see the personalities of our new arrivals blossom.”
The baby tortoise has been named Pōturi (Slowpoke) and Laura has put the out on Yammer to provide name suggestions for the baby bearded dragon.
Pōturi the tortoise
Interesting suggestions, such as Johnny Depp, Beardy McBeardface, Ramoth and Tūmanako (Hope), have been offered up.
Laura believes the arrival of the two new family members will make the impending return to campus even more exciting for staff and students.
The exceptional work and innovation of the School of Environmental and Animal Sciences in the transition of learning around Canine Behaviour and Training to the online world was profiled recently on the AM Show.