Animals and Wildlife You Will Find in New Zealand
New Zealand is arguably one of the most beautiful countries in the world. Talk of beautiful sceneries, scenic landscapes, and fantastic wildlife. All you need is some nice travel vehicle to hit the wilds, and lucky you, there are plenty of backpacker cars suited for such endeavors. Looking for adventure? New Zealand is the capital of exciting adventures of a lifetime.
How do I know? Well, you can learn by an exclusive sampling of what the beautiful county has to offer. Let’s explore some of these perfect tourist destination wildlife and animals. I mean, some of which you will never encounter anywhere else in the whole world.
How Many Animals Live In New Zealand?
You might be wondering how many animals roam the wilds or swim the waters of New Zealand. Well, too many to account for, but did you know that bats are the only land mammals in the whole country? Bet you didn’t know. Lots of interesting facts about this country, I mean no snakes and like you might have heard most birds and insects are flightless.
And about plants, there are about 2,500 native plants and 5,800 types of fungi. Just imagine, exploration would be phenomenon. Should you get the gratifying opportunity to land in the country, get a nice travel car, there are plenty of backpacker cars available for hire, and explore the wilds of New Zealand.
What Animals Do You Get In New Zealand?
Let’s be honest; you are curious. You are probably wondering what is the most popular animal in New Zealand. Well, there are lots of popular animals that you would undoubtedly fancy the idea of encountering. Let’s explore and find out what popular animals the wilds and waters of New Zealand offer the world.
The Kiwi Bird
The Kiwi Bird is outrightly not only the most popular bird but also the most famous amongst all animals in New Zealand. This is a little exotic flightless bird with a pair of impressively strong limbs. This makes up for the lack of wings. It flaunts hair-like feathers and is said to live for between 25 and 50 years.
Hooker’s Sea Lion/New Zealand Sea Lion
That’s right, a sea lion and mark you; it lives up to its name dominating fishes and small animals along the coast of New Zealand. These beasts are currently constrained to Otago, Southland, and Sub-antarctic Islands courtesy of human invasion. Even worse, this is the most endangered of all sea lion species in the world.
Should you encounter these beasts, the females have a lighter color than the males. Hooker’s sea lions are known to live for up to 25 years.
Yellow-eyed Penguins
The Hoiho or the red-eyed penguin is another animal wonder in New Zealand. This is one of the rarest penguins in the world, but it’s a pity due to human interference in their homes, their numbers dwindle each day. All hope is not lost however, conservation is always in place.
All in all, should you make the right choice from the plenty of backpacker cars available and find yourself a dependable ride to the beach, you can spot these beautiful birds. They are mainly found in Stewart Island and South Island’s Bank Peninsula.
Little Blue Penguins
Here’s the world’s smallest penguin ever! These New Zealand little blue penguins stand at just 9.84 inches. If you want to see these cute little creatures, you have to visit the offshore islands, Oamaru and Taiaroa Head. They, however, are more likely to be seen at night.
Kereru
The New Zealand wood pigeon, locally known as Kereru, is one of the largest birds in the country. It flaunts a unique white vest and a bunch of beautiful green feathers on its head. Having acquired a sturdy four-wheel-drive exploration vehicle from the plenty of backpacker cars up available, you can drive to any forested area and encounter these birds. They basically call out with their unusual loud sounds.
Tuatara
Tuatara is an animal you can only find in New Zealand. Even more thrilling, it is the last survivor in the Sphenodontia order of reptiles. The point is, it an endangered species, and currently, many of its kind are bred in captivity to beat extinction. If you are lucky enough, you can encounter these creatures in most offshore islands.
Does New Zealand have any Dangerous Animals?
Let’s be honest; in as much as we fancy the beauty of the wilds, we are a little scared of the dangers that may lurk there. Trust me, the danger is not out of the question, and the New Zealand wilds are no exception. As you enjoy your adventures, you should be wary of the following animals:
Katipo Spider
The Katipo Spider might not be a daily encounter in the wilds of New Zealand but well, it the most dangerous insect ever seen. It is considered rare but can cause harm, stay awake! This spider is pea-sized and black but has a defining red stripe on the back. Its bite is not entirely lethal, but medical help is always recommended, you can never be too sure.
Redback Spider
This is another rare but a possible danger in the New Zealand wilds. These spiders are mostly found in Australia, but they somehow find their way across the sea into the shores of New Zealand. If you are unlucky and, in a most unlikely case, get a bite from the Redblack spider, you should seek medical attention. Its venom can cause serious injuries.
Portuguese Man-of-War/ Bluebottle Jellyfish
If you love the beach, here’s the danger you should be on the lookout for. The Bluebottle jellyfish is common in most New Zealand beaches. They are driven into the beaches by ocean currents and mark you; they are difficult to spot. Their sting is quite painful, and you should be careful whether you are out for a swim or a beach walk.
Conclusion
If you harbor desires to visit and explore New Zealand, you know have some helpful background information on what to expect. Least to say, the beauty and the riches of the New Zealand wilds is more than we can put on paper. All you need is get the right ride from the plenty of backpacker cars available for hire and explore.