These 5 threatened species of New Zealand are good examples of the unique wildlife that is at risk of going extinct. Learn about the lesser short tailed bat, weta, hihi, and others.
New Zealand is full of unique and special plants and animals. About 70% of them are endemic (found nowhere else on earth). Unfortunately, since the arrival of people 750 years ago the natural world of these islands has changed drastically. 75 species have already gone extinct and approximately 4,000 more are now threatened with extinction! Here are 5 threatened species in New Zealand.
5 Threatened Species – Lesser Short Tailed Bat
The lesser short tailed bat is one of New Zealand’s only native mammals. The others native mammals are two other species of bat, one of which has already gone extinct.
The lesser short tailed bat is small, about the size of a mouse with wings. It can fly and stays mainly low to the ground. But, what really makes it unique is that it crawls around on the ground looking for food!
These bats are only alive in small communities scattered across the north and south islands. Read more about New Zealand’s native bats here.
5 Threatened Species – Giant Weta or Wētāpunga
This unique, flightless insect is endemic to New Zealand. There are more than 70 species of weta, 11 of which are giant weta. The wetapunga, is the largest of all the wetas.
It used to live in the northern parts of the north island, including Auckland and Great Barrier Island. Now it can only be found naturally on Little Barrier Island and has been moved to a couple of other small, offshore islands.
5 Threatened Species – Hihi or Stitchbird
The hihi is a medium sized bird that lives in the native broadleaf – podocarp forests of NZ. The male is more colorful than the female.
It is extremely rare and was wiped out on the mainland and only survived on some offshore islands until recently. It has now been reintroduced to a few locations on the south and north island (Lake Rotokare in Taranaki on the north island).
5 Threatened Species – Grand & Otago Skink
New Zealand has some truly remarkable lizards that are unlike others anywhere else in the world. Unfortunately, many of them are threatened with extinction.
The Grand and Otago Skinks live on the south island in the tussock of central Otago. They now live in a tiny area that is protected. These are two of the rarest and largest lizards in New Zealand.
Some of the unique characteristics of these lizards is that they give birth to live young, are diurnal, and don’t hibernate. They are under threat from introduced predators, and the destruction of their habitat.
5 Threatened Species – Shortjaw Kokopu
New Zealand has a large family of freshwater fish called galaxids. Some of these migrate to the ocean and others stay put. The migrating species, specifically 6 types (including this one) are known collectively as whitebait.
The shortjaw kokopu (enedmic to NZ) is another threatened species. They are rarely seen and are mainly found at lower elevations. These fish can only survive in very specific types of streams, many of which have been damaged by forest clearance.