Due to the isolation of New Zealand, after splitting from other land mass, the wildlife was left to evolve with no predators until man-introduced pests found their way into the country. Today, it is important to preserve our native wildlife – protecting endangered species from becoming extinct.
Because when man first found these islands at the bottom of the world, there was nothing but birds. Aside from a couple of tiny bat species, New Zealand has no native land mammals. And with no predators to eat them, many of the native birds – including their beloved kiwi – never learned to fly.
New Zealand doesn't just lack native mammals — it is devoid of native land predators in general. With other birds their only predators, prehistoric birds found safety on the ground. And with tiresome flying no longer a priority, they gradually evolved to be flightless.
New Zealand has many unique native fish, insects, birds, lizards and frogs. Our only native mammals are bats and marine mammals.
Actually New Zealand also has native seals, whales, dolphins and sea lions all of which are also mammals. But it's because NZ was already isolated by a large body of water before mammals evolved. So only mammals who could swim or fly could ever colonise in New Zealand.
There are more companion animals living in New Zealand than there are humans! Nearly a third of households have a dog, so it's not surprising to learn that Kiwi cities are pretty canine-friendly. Pets in New Zealand are considered to be an extension of the family.
They're special little things, and they are entirely unique to New Zealand. Due to Aotearoa's geographic isolation and lack of native mammals, kiwis lived for years without any major predators.
New Zealand is home to an array of fascinating creatures, from the iconic kiwi bird to fish, insects, and frogs. And if you're anything like me, you'll want to see as many of them as possible while you're here! One interesting thing about New Zealand's wildlife is that bats are the only native land mammal!
The tuatara, moa, kiwi, kōkako, saddleback, huia, kākāpō, native frogs and giant carnivorous land snails are just some of the species that are unique to New Zealand.
Australia has many mammals and once had many megafaunas. It has large saltwater crocodiles and, notoriously, many of the world's most venomous snakes. New Zealand had no mammals (apart from three species of small bats and marine life like seals, whales, and dolphins). New Zealand was a land ruled by birds.
The native wildlife of New Zealand never evolved to handle snakes, so even a single snake could severely impact native wildlife populations. This would cause a chain reaction that would destroy much of New Zealand's natural beauty, something no one wants.
Kiore came to New Zealand with early Māori voyagers, while Norway rats and ship rats travelled here on whaling ships and with early European settlers.
New Zealand is one of several large islands around the globe where there have never been native snake populations. The others are Antarctica, Iceland, Ireland and Newfoundland. Snakes are more common than lizards around the world, and yet New Zealand is home to several species of lizard and not a single snake.
The world's least biodiverse country is San Marino. This tiny landlocked European nation boasts few recorded animal species and zero fish species. At only 61 square kilometers, it's no surprise this dwarf nation lacks the diversity of other countries.
New Zealand is one of the most unique destinations on Earth, where scenes of sweeping, verdant landscapes and pristine wilderness abound. In addition to its endless natural attractions, New Zealand is also known for its rich culture, friendly locals, and excellent food and wine.
For instance, most mammals. Or at least, most mammals were nonexistent prior to the arrival of humans about 1000 years ago. "There are no native land mammals in New Zealand except bats," says Jim Becker, a biologist at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.
A great place to raise a family
New Zealand is one of the safer countries in the world. In fact, the country ranks 77 out of 137 countries rated from most dangerous to least dangerous. While there is a crime in the country, it is nowhere near as dangerous as in countries like South Africa, Brazil, and Venezuela.
Partly due to its isolation from the rest of the world, the cost of living in New Zealand is quite high compared to other popular destinations around the world. Many goods are imported from overseas, including food, electronics, and even clothing, meaning you will find much higher prices.
Brazil. It is the country with the greatest biodiversity of flora and fauna on the planet. Brazil has the highest number of species of known mammals and freshwater fish, and more than 50,000 species of trees and bushes, it takes first place in plant diversity.
Africa is best known for the enormous diversity and richness of its wildlife. It has a greater variety of large ungulates, or hoofed mammals (some 90 species), and freshwater fish (2,000 species) than any other continent.
"Kiwi" (/ˈkiːwi/ KEE-wee) is a common self-reference used by New Zealanders, though it is also used internationally. Unlike many demographic labels, its usage is not considered offensive; rather, it is generally viewed as a symbol of pride and affection for most people of New Zealand.
There is debate about whether kiwi evolved from a flightless ancestor or lost its ability to fly. Regardless, the kiwi does have a very small vestigial wing with a tiny cat-like claw on the end. This stumpy wing gave rise to the species' name: 'Apteryx' meaning 'wingless'.
Māori culture has greatly influenced New Zealand's culture as a whole. This is noticeable in the way kiwis speak but also in how friendly and hospitable they are. This come from Manaakitanga, which loosely translates into hospitality and is central to Māori society.