166 NEW ZEALAND NATURE-STUDY BOOK 
XI.—REPTILES. 
INTRODUCTION. — Lizards. Lizards belong to a class of 
vertebrates known as reptiles, in which are included Snakes, 
Crocodiles and other similar forms. They may be described as 
cold-blooded air-breathing vertebrates in which gills are not 
developed at any period of life. 
The reptiles which occur in New Zealand are, with one 
exception, entirely confined to a single order — viz. The Lizards. 
These are found in considerable numbers in both islands and some 
of the forms are easily obtained. They live for the most part on 
insects, and if care be taken to supply them with these, as also 
with water to drink, they can be kept in confinement sufficiently 
long to allow their habits to be observed. 
Fig. 108.—Common Lizard. 
The Common Lizard (Mokomoko). This form is 
found both in the bush and in the open country, under 
stones, logs, leaves, or anything that will afford sufficient 
cover. The colour of the animal varies considerably with 
the individual. Asa rule the back is reddish brown, either 
pale or dark, with a whitish stripe extending from the 
nostrils over the eye and down the side. A dark stripe 
