What animals would not have been found in early New Zealand?

1. What types of animals did not exist in New Zealand before the arrival of people?
2. Did New Zealand have no mammals?
3. What are New Zealand predators?
4. What animal is only in New Zealand?
5. Why are there no animals in New Zealand?
6. Does New Zealand have penguins?
7. Are there any native animals in New Zealand?
8. Are snakes in New Zealand?
9. Does New Zealand have rodents?
10. Are pigs native to New Zealand?
11. What animals did English bring to NZ?

What types of animals did not exist in New Zealand before the arrival of people?

Wētā, peripatus and other creatures

When humans arrived there were only three terrestrial mammal species – all were bats, and one is now extinct. Other unique fauna include the wētā.

Did New Zealand have no mammals?

"There are no native land mammals in New Zealand except bats," says Jim Becker, a biologist at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. But beginning with the Maori, and escalating with the Europeans in 1642, humans have introduced furry, warm-blooded milk-makers to New Zealand's ecosystems.

What are New Zealand predators?

With no land predators, except for birds of prey, birds in New Zealand evolved into a mix of flightless birds and melodic forest birds. As a result, you may find that many birds in New Zealand are likely to come to check you out when hiking in the forests as they don't see you as a threat.

What animal is only in New Zealand?

The Official National (state) Animal of New Zealand

The national animal is the native kiwi bird. This cute, flightless bird is so strongly associated with New Zealand that the term kiwi is often used to refer to people who are natives.

Why are there no animals in New Zealand?

New Zealand has almost no native mammals; its larger animal life is dominated by birds, lizards, frogs, wētā and land snails. ... For years scientists thought that many of New Zealand's life forms were primitive survivors, isolated since the country broke away from Gondwana about 85 million years ago.

Does New Zealand have penguins?

Thirteen of the world's 18 penguin species have been recorded in the New Zealand region (including the Ross Dependency). ... Three penguin species breed on the New Zealand mainland, they breed alone or in small groups: Yellow-eyed penguin/hoiho. Fiordland crested penguin/tawaki.

Are there any native animals in New Zealand?

New Zealand has many unique native fish, insects, birds, lizards and frogs. Our only native mammals are bats and marine mammals.

Are snakes in New Zealand?

1. There are no snakes. Much like Hawaii, New Zealand is an island grouping devoid of native snakes. ... (Edit: New Zealand does have a couple venomous spiders – only one of which is native – but it's very rare to see or be bitten by one.)

Does New Zealand have rodents?

The ship rat (Rattus rattus) is the most commonly found rat in New Zealand and is the smaller of the two European rat species. ... Ship rats are widespread around New Zealand on the three main islands and on many offshore islands.

Are pigs native to New Zealand?

Pigs were first introduced to New Zealand in 1769 by De Surville, who gave two animals to the Maori people in Doubtless Bay, Northland (Dunmore, 1969). ... Two other species, Sus verrueosus and S. eelebensis, are endemic to Indonesia, and a third species, S.

What animals did English bring to NZ?

Domestic animals such as cats and dogs were brought for company, horses and bullocks for transport, possums for a fur industry, and trees for nuts and fruit – and for their familiarity. Some birds that are not hunted, such as blackbirds, were introduced for nostalgic reasons, or to catch insects.