New Zealand Animals

Many of the New Zealand animals are not found in any other countries in the world.  There are no native mammals apart from bats and marine mammals such as seals and dolphins.  NZ does however, have an abundance of unique native birds, lizards, frogs, fish, and insects.

Prior to human habitation, NZ was free from predatory mammals. Until the arrival of predators the population of birds were free to live on the ground, many being flightless and some even evolving to lose the use of their wings. Unique birds include the world's only flightless parrot (Kakapo), and the Kiwi which has nostrils at the end of its beak. This country is well known as the seabird capital of the world and is fortunate to be the home to species of forest birds that can be found nowhere else on earth.

Many of the New Zealand animals have retained their original forms from ancient times. There is a frog that has live young and are crickets without wings (Weta), an alternative to mice, that forages on the forest floor.

The reptiles and frogs animal group (herpetofauna) includes the tuatara, lizards such as skinks and geckos, and the four species of native frog (pepeketua) classified within this group.

The sea around the islands has a diverse and rich variety of marine mammals, a lot of the larger ones are often visible from the coast, such as dolphins, porpoises and whales. Examples that are unique to the NZ waters are Hector's Dolphins, Beaked Whales, and New Zealand Sea Lions and fur seals. Some other seals that are occasional visitors to the shores include the Southern Elephant Seal and Leopard Seal.

Those species of whales and seals that almost resulted in extinction by commercial whaling and sealing over the last two centuries were the indigenous seals and the Humpback and Right Whales. Even though commercial whaling does not now pose such a significant threat to the welfare of these New Zealand animals, present day threats to the population include global climate change, habitat degradation, and fishing operations through the accumulation of pollutants in the seas and entanglement in fishing nets/gear.

There are over 60 species of sharks in the oceans around NZ with sizes ranging from the 12mtr long Whale Shark to the tiny 27cm long Pigmy Shark

New Zealand animals includes 35 native species of fish although most people wouldn't know more than a couple of them to name. Being imported, the trout is not among the native species of fish.

The only truly land mammals native to NZ are three species of bats: the Long-tailed Bat, the Greater Short-tailed Bat, and the Lesser Short-tailed Bat. All these species are under threat of extinction due to decline in population and are a high priority for conservation efforts. However, unfortunately the Greater Short-tailed Bat is thought to actually be extinct already.

The diverse population of invertebrates that are vital in the role they play in maintenance of the native bird populations and ecosystem processes. Unfortunately many of the invertebrates also face extinction for similar reasons that the native birds are under threat.

This list provided below is in no way to be considered exhaustive but it will give you an insight into a selection of the variety of wildlife you may catch a glimpse of during your visit. Some you are more likely to see than others, and the Kiwi which you will only be able to see in a controlled and protected environment.

Albatross

Basking Shark

Bellbird (Korimako)

Black Robin

Black Stilt (Kaki)

Black Swan

Bluebottle Jellyfish

Blue Duck (Whio)

Blue Whale

Dinornis (Moa)

Duck (Blue Duck) (Whio)

Fin Whale

Gecko

Greater Short-tailed Bat

Hector's Dolphins

Humpback Whale

Jellyfish (Bluebottle Jellyfish)

Kauri Snail

Kea

Kiwi

Lesser Short-tailed Bat

Long-tailed Bat

Moa (Dinornis)

New Zealand Dotterel

New Zealand Sea Lions

Oystercatcher (Variable Oystercatcher)

Penguin (Yellow-eyed Penguin)

Pigmy Shark

Portuguese Man o War (Bluebottle Jellyfish)

Powelliphanta snail

Right Whale

Sperm Whale

Stoat

Swan (Black Swan)

Torea (Variable Oystercatcher)

Tuatara

Variable Oystercatcher

Weta

Whale (Blue Whale)

Whale (Fin Whale)

Whale (Humpback Whale)

Whale Shark

Whale (Sperm Whale)

Whio (Blue Duck)

White Shark

Yellow-eyed Penguin (Hoiho)

Books

If you are looking for books about wildlife in NZ visit The Nile - New Zealand's Largest Online Bookstore and use their search box to find what you're looking for, they have a huge selection, or ziwi.co.nz another great NZ online bookstore

Other Islands

NZ native wildlife can be compared to many other small islands across the globe. For example, Grand Cayman wildlife also consists of the types of creatures that could reach the island by crossing the ocean... birds, insects, fish, and reptiles.

For a guide to another interesting island vacation, visit this site about the Outerbanks. Corolla and Ocracoke are home to herds of feral horses... and they actually got there by boat!

Hilton Head Island has been the vacation destination of choice for generations of Americans. The name itself conjures images of upper-class privilege and luxury. For that perfect blend of excitement and relaxation, Hilton Head Island is hard to beat. Use our handy vacation planner for discounts on meals, accomodations, and much more.