Say hello to Tūmanako

With a ‘beard’ of spikes that puffs up depending on her mood, Tūmanako (‘hope’ in te reo Māori) is a rather fitting name for Unitec’s resident bearded dragon.

Tūmanako came to Te Puna Kararehe (Unitec’s Animal Behaviour and Husbandry Centre) after New Zealand’s first lockdown in 2020. She was a little skittish when she arrived, understandable considering it was a big move from her old home in a pet store.

“Reptiles aren’t thought to have the broad range of feelings that mammals have but I think they get to knowtheir carers, likely by smell, and they trust them,” says Environmental and Animal Sciences senior technician Stacey Middleditch.

After a year at Te Puna Kararehe, Tūmanako is now a happy and sociable girl – and very nosey, Stacey laughs. “She’s frequently caught with her nose up to the glass of her vivarium watching the goings-on, especially if it’s something out of the ordinary.”

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Unitec’s Animal Behaviour and Husbandry Unit provides a safe and secure place for Environmental and Animal Sciences students to learn about the care, health and husbandry of a wide range of companion animal species.

Bearded dragons are among the most popular pet reptiles, as they tend to be gentle, inquisitive and active during the day. Tūmanako fits right in with her fellow small animal friends and has fast become a favourite among animal care and vet nursing staff and students.

“Her friendliness and outgoing personality are fantastic for teaching students about husbandry, enrichment, diet, handling and health checks,” says Stacey.

“She loves her insects, but like most teenagers, isn’t so fond of her veggies. She’s taken a liking to kale, which is great. Now to get her to eat her other greens!”