Photographer and environmental educator Sam Purdie gets up close to a West Coast bush weta (Hemideina broughi).PHOTO: SAM PURDIEOrokonui Ecosanctuary environmental educator Sam Purdie enjoys shining a light on the wonders to be found in people’s backyards. It is like a tag name because they haven’t been formally described.’’They were small and sometimes hard to find but were ‘‘amazing little critters’’. They use that to subdue their prey.’’Although they looked harmless and ‘‘kind of cuddly’’ they were actually voracious predators, Mr Purdie said. They might not be seen so much in shaded areas, but people living on Otago Peninsula might spot them, Mr Purdie said. They are an awesome little skink that is in Dunedin.’’Various species of cave weta could also be found in the region.

Source: Otago Daily Times September 08, 2021 16:41 UTC