Bats are the only land mammals that lived in New Zealand for millions of years. The two endemic bats are the Long-tailed bat and Lesser Short-tailed bat.
Yes, as crazy as it seems it’s true that New Zealand had no other mammals. The land that would become the islands of New Zealand separated from Gondwana around 70 – 80 million years ago. No other mammals were on the land at that time and none made the trip across the ocean. However, since the arrival of people a few thousand years ago many mammals have been introduced.
How Many Species of Bats Are Endemic To New Zealand?
Currently there are two endemic bat species in New Zealand – the Long-tailed bat and Lesser Short-tailed bat.
There was a third species of bat that became extinct in 1967.
Many Native Species Have Gone Extinct In New Zealand
Unfortunately, this is a common theme in New Zealand. Since the arrival of people many of the native birds, reptiles, insects, and one bat have gone extinct. This is due to the introduction of non-natives that outcompete or kill the natives. Another reason is the destruction of habitat.
Both species of the endemic bats are now rare and listed as threatened.
Long-Tailed Bat
This bat has a wingspan of about 28 cm, smaller ears, more delicate wings, and darker fur than the Lesser Short-tailed bat.
It is widespread on the North, South, and Stewart Islands, but is actually rarer and more threatened than the Lesser Short-tailed bat.
This Long-tailed bat lives in most types of forest and begins feeding at dusk. They mainly eat flying insects that they catch in the air. This is a key difference between the two species. This one flies in the air to eat and the other one mainly forages on the ground to eat.
During the day they sleep in hollow trees and emerge after dark to hunt over rivers or open areas in the forest.
Lesser Short-tailed Bat
This bat also has a wingspan of about 28 cm, but it’s heavier and a bit bigger than the Long-tailed bat. It’s fur is dark brown, but lighter in color than the Long-tailed bat. It also has a very short tail, hence its name.
It lives in only a few locations on both the North and South Islands in some mature forests. This bat lives in colonies, numbering up to several thousand. They mainly roost in hollow trees in old Podocarp, Kauri, or Beech forest.
Here is the craziest, coolest part about how this bat lives – it crawls around on the ground! Unlike the Long-tailed bat, this Short-tailed bat forages on the ground for its food.
It has special pockets that it can put its wings into allowing it to crawl around on the ground. It climbs over rocks, and logs, and even up trees in search of insects. It also eats fruit, berries, and sips nectar. This bat also happens to be a poor flyer.
Like many other New Zealand ground living species it is vulnerable to introduced predators.