New Zealand is arguably one of the most beautiful countries in the world: the capital of exciting life adventures. Talk about beautiful sceneries, scenic landscapes, and fantastic wildlife. The wildlife in the country is especially unique: you might never encounter some of the New Zealand animals anywhere else in the world.

Is your interest already piqued? Get yourself a reasonable budget, an excellent tour guide, a camera, some excitement, and a superb travel vehicle to hit the wilds. Lucky for you, there are plenty of backpacker cars ready to help you explore.

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? 

There are lots of interesting facts about this country, think about it, there are no snakes, and you-‘ve probably heard that most birds and insects are flightless. What about plants? The country houses about 2,500 native plants and 5,800 types of fungi. Exploration would be a phenomenon.

What Animals Do You Get In New Zealand?

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 animal is a little exotic flightless bird with a pair of impressively strong limbs that make 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. It lives up to its name by 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. This animal is the most endangered of all sea lion species in the world.

Should you encounter these beasts, you’ll now the females because they 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 wonder animal in New Zealand. The animal is one of the rarest penguins in the world.

You might be lucky enough to spot these beautiful birds. They are mainly found in Stewart Island and South Island’s Bank Peninsula.
It’s a pity that human interference around the penguin homes is causing their numbers to dwindle each day. But there is hope if the already placed conservation will be sustainable.

Little Blue Penguins

Here is 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 you can drive to any forested area and encounter these birds. They call you 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 us; the threat 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.

Portuguese Man-of-War/ Bluebottle Jellyfish

If you love the beach, here’s the danger you should be expecting. 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.

If you harbor desires to visit and explore New Zealand, you now have some helpful background information on what to expect. The beauty and the riches of the New Zealand wilds are more than we can put on paper. 

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Thank you & Safe Travels!