FAUNA
With regard to his fauna we emphasize the Kiwi, the Kakapo and the Takahe, which they are birds without skill of flying, also native reptiles exist as the skinks, Geckos and Tuátara, other typical species are the abundant marine mammals. Since mammal also we find a marsupial called Possum, which for not having natural predator in New Zealand and to be reproduced rapidly, turned into a plague managing to provoke almost the extinction of the Kiwi for destroying his habitat. As dangerous animals in New Zealand we emphasize the Redback, a species of spider become related to the black widow, his poison is not lethal for the adults but it can be dangerous for the children.
Birds
Kiwi (Apteryx) they are not flying small birds, approximately of the size of a hen. They are shy and night creatures with a sense of the very developed smell mercy to the existence of real moustaches concerning the beak, such moustaches are effective olfactory organs. Another generally unusual feature in a bird is the presence of nostrils in the top of his long and sharp beak. They are omnivorous; to feed they incrust the beak in the soil in search of worms, insects and other invertebrates. Also they eat fruit and, if the opportunity appears, small crayfishes, amphibians and eels. Another curiosity of these birds, it is that the males are the managers of the incubation of the eggs.
Kakapos (Strigops habroptilus) are big and stocky parrots: the males can manage to measure up to 60 cm and sorrow between 3 and 4 kg once reached the maturity. The kakapos cannot fly, as what they have a few small wings in relation to his size, and small and slightly pronounced bones in the breastbone (that in other birds the muscles of flight guarantee). His wings use for balance and support, as well as to muffle his falls on having jumped of the trees. These birds have a very developed smell, which allows them to complement it with his night life. One of the most surprising characteristics of the kakapos is his powerful and agreeable smell, which has been described like floral, honey, an air-freshener, or the interior of the box of a former violin.
Kea (Nestor notabilis) lives in the mountains or in areas of forest, and grassland and shrubland. Often descends to the coastal plains of the western Southerns Alps. The Kea one of the few species of parrot can live in the alpine regions.
Keas carry a primarily herbivores diet consisting of berries and buds, but also eat insects, nectar and eggs. They have also learned to feed on carrion and landfills.
It is endemic to the South Island of New Zealand, although there are fossil records that inhabit the North Island, and sometimes there is some wandering in the mountains of Tararua.
Keas carry a primarily herbivores diet consisting of berries and buds, but also eat insects, nectar and eggs. They have also learned to feed on carrion and landfills.
It is endemic to the South Island of New Zealand, although there are fossil records that inhabit the North Island, and sometimes there is some wandering in the mountains of Tararua.
Takahe (Porphyrio hochstetteri) is a sedentary and not flying bird and that at present, we can find her in Alpine meadows. It feeds of grass, outbreaks and insects. The near-extinction of the formerly widespread Takahe is due to a number of factors: over-hunting, loss of habitat and introduced predators has all played a par.
Reptiles
Tuatara (genus Sphenodon) is an incomparable relic of the past: it is the only reptile of thorny comb that stays in the world. All the species of the family of this reptile, except the tuatara, died it does 65 million years. The Tuataras can live more than 100 years and only they are in the islands protected from the littoral. The Tuataras do not represent a threat for the human beings.
They are carnivores; their diet consists of insects, snails, lizards, eggs and young birds. Are nocturnal; day resting on the rocks for sunbathing, and at night they hunt for food. Tuataras, unlike other reptiles, they like the cold. Animals live longer, and some individuals live more than a century.
They are carnivores; their diet consists of insects, snails, lizards, eggs and young birds. Are nocturnal; day resting on the rocks for sunbathing, and at night they hunt for food. Tuataras, unlike other reptiles, they like the cold. Animals live longer, and some individuals live more than a century.
Gekkos are usually nocturnal and arboreal lizards. Like most lizards, they eat insects. Geckos are the only scaly whose eggs have a hard shell. Some species are parthenogenesis, i.e., females can reproduce without copulating with a male. This increases the ability of the gecko to spread to new islands. Many geckos live in groups and emit squeaks and chatter to communicate.
The color of most geckos varies between brown and dark gray. Some species can change color to blend with the environment or when stressed. However there are others that have bright colors.
The color of most geckos varies between brown and dark gray. Some species can change color to blend with the environment or when stressed. However there are others that have bright colors.