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Explore Endangered Native Species Found Only In New Zealand

Some of the most incredible wildlife you’ll ever see can be found in New Zealand. There are many amazing creatures to uncover, including native birds, aquatic life, insects, and mammals. Here are 11 endangered native species that you might see while visiting New Zealand.

The Kiwi Bird – Endangered Native Species In New Zealand

kiwi-bird-native-species-new-zealand
kiwi-bird-native-species-new-zealand

A list of endangerd native animals from New Zealand would never be complete without mentioning the nation’s most recognizable bird. A fascinating little bird, the kiwi (always lowercase, unless you’re talking about humans) is flightless, has hair-like feathers, can live for 25 to 50 years, and has strong legs but no tail. The kiwi, which has five distinct species, is constantly being safeguarded from extinction due to its significant cultural presence.

Otago Skink

Otago-Skink
Otago-Skink

There are nine different species of the tiny, thin lizard known as a skink. One of the biggest and capable of reaching lengths of up to 300 millimeters is the Otago skink (11.8 inches). The Otago skink is omnivorous, diurnal, and doesn’t hibernate, unlike most lizards. These black skinks, which have blotches of yellow, green, or grey, have a lifespan of up to 20 years. True to its name, the species is only present in a few isolated locations in the Otago region, especially close to the Macraes Flat region.

Koura (Crayfish)

Koura-Crayfish
Koura-Crayfish

The country’s lakes and streams are home to freshwater crayfish or koura. Because of their dark-green shells, which blend very well with the rocks below, they are difficult to notice. There are two types of koura, the bigger of which is found on Stewart Island and the eastern part of the South Island. In comparison to other species, crayfish found on the North Island and some areas of the South Island are a little bit smaller and have fewer hairy pincers.

Short-tailed Bat- Endangered Native Species In New Zealand

bat-short-tailed
bat-short-tailed

This particular species is unique to New Zealand, endangered, and the only surviving member of the Mystacinidae family of bats. Three subspecies of the lesser short-tailed bat may be distinguished, and they can be found in Northland, Taranaki, sections of the central North Island, and the northwest Nelson and Fiordland regions of the South Island. The last time a greater short-tailed bat was seen was in 1967, hence this species is thought to be extinct.

Maui Dolphin – Endangered Native Species In New Zealand

Maui-Dolphin
Maui-Dolphin

The tiny Maui dolphins, a subspecies of the endangered Hector’s dolphin, are among the most endangered species of dolphin in the world. The Maui dolphin population, which is only thought to number 63 individuals, is very close to being extinct. However, there are still some locations where you can see them swimming in small groups, including the Manukau and Kaipara Harbours, Port Waikato, Maunganui Bluff, and Whanganui.

Read more New Zealand Fights To Protect Their Kiwi Birds

Weta

giant-weta-natuve-species-new-zealand
giant-weta-native-species-new-zealand

Weta is an amazing invertebrate that has existed since the Paleolithic era. Although these creatures come in a wide range of sizes, it is simple to identify them by their elongated bodies, spiny legs, and curving tusks. Weta species are still being found; the most recent discovery was made little about 30 years ago. There are a total of 70 species of weta that are known, 16 of which are endangered.

Tuatara

tuatara-native-animal-new-zealand
tuatara-native-animal-new-zealand

The tuatara is not only an entirely unique species to New Zealand, but it is also the sole living member of the order Sphenodontia, a group of reptiles that flourished 200 million years ago during the time of the dinosaurs. Tuatara is noted for liking mild climates with temperatures no higher than 25 degrees Celsius, which only adds to their peculiar nature (77 degrees Fahrenheit). A large number of tuatara have been bred in captivity due to scientific interest. They can be discovered in the wild on several offshore islands.

Little Blue Penguins – Endangered Native Species In New Zealand

Little-Blue-Penguin
Little-Blue-Penguin

The little blue penguin from New Zealand, which is 25 centimeters (9.84 inches) in height, is recognized as being the tiniest animal on earth. Once extremely widespread across the nation, these little creatures have recently moved to the outlying islands due to predation. Although they typically only arrive on land when night falls, colonies can be found in protected mainland harbors, particularly around Oamaru and Taiaroa Head.

Kereru

Kereru
Kereru

The kereru, often called the New Zealand wood pigeon, is a large bird with shiny green feathers on its head and a unique white waistcoat. The kereru are not endangered, in contrast to many of the animals on our list; you can find them everywhere there are close forested regions. Its wings are renowned for producing a booming sound that reverberates through the native New Zealand bush.

New Zealand Sea Lion

new-zealnd-sea-lion
new-zealnd-sea-lion

Native sea lions were formerly present along New Zealand’s entire coastline, from the North Island all the way down to Stewart Island and the subantarctic islands as well, according to archeological data. Unfortunately, due to a population reduction, these magnificent marine creatures are now primarily restricted to the subantarctic islands, the Otago, and Southland regions. The average lifespan of the species the sea lion, is 25 years, and males are darker in color than females.

Yellow-eyed Penguins – Endangered Native Species In New Zealand

Yellow-Eyed-Penguin
Yellow-Eyed-Penguin

The hoiho (also known as the yellow-eyed penguin), one of the world’s rarest penguin species, recently saw a sharp fall in the number of nests, which has mostly been linked to human interference in its natural surroundings. On the South Island’s Banks Peninsula (near Christchurch), Stewart Island, and the nearby locations, you can see these birds if you maintain a safe distance.

You know Do Snakes Not Live In New Zealand?

Anna
Annahttps://my-lifestyle.co/
If you want to travel the world through blogs then my articles will satisfy you. With a never-ending journey, I'll take you to the best cities and exciting experiences!
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