New Zealand's forests were
inhabited by a diverse range
of megafauna,
including the flightless
birds moa (now extinct), and the kiwi,
kakapo and takahē, all endangered
by human actions. Unique birds
capable of flight include the
Haast's eagle, which was the
world's largest bird of prey
(now extinct), and the large kākā
and kea parrots. Reptiles present
in New Zealand include skinks,
geckos and living fossil tuatara.
There are four endemic species
of primitive frogs. There are no
snakes and there is only one
venomous spider, the katipo,
which is rare and restricted
to coastal regions. However,
there are many endemic
species of insects, including the weta,
one species of which may grow
as large as a house mouse and
is the heaviest insect in the world.
Takahe
Katipo
Fauna
Tuatara
Kaka
Moa attacked by a Haast’s Eagle