These 'living fossils' have a very slow pace of life. They live 100 years +, females only mate about every 4 years and they can take as little as one breath per hour!
This species is the only New Zealand species of its order that will lay eggs rather than giving birth to live young.
This species lives up to 2,200 m above sea level, in areas that are snow covered in the winter, and can be active in temperatures as low as 7°C.
This species is number one on the list of evolutionary distinct and globally endangered species for its class. They swim very inefficiently and are mostly terrestrial.
Growing up to about 1.7 m, these are the smallest species in their family. They are also one of the most endangered, there are approximately only 63 individuals remaining.
Nearly hunted to extinction by the late 1800s, this species now numbers around 200,000 – still only around 10% of their pre-human population.
Two species of this animal are the only land mammals native to New Zealand. Unusually, they have adapted to become ground hunters.
One of the five species whose juveniles are known as whitebait, this species is particularly adept at climbing – they are able to climb near-vertical waterfalls.
This species only breeds once, at the end of their lives. They leave New Zealand to breed, and the larvae drift back to the country in ocean currents.
It appears that climatic conditions, such as rain, trigger these invertebrates to mate and it can last more than 10 hours! Hatchlings live in trees and shrubs up to 6m high.
These hermaphroditic, carnivorous invertebrates can grow up to 9 cm across and weigh around 90 g (the weight of a tui)!
These ancient creatures filled the role of rodents before they were introduced to New Zealand. They will shed their exoskeleton 11 times before they're fully grown.
This animal is considered taonga (treasure) by Māori, because of its role as a food source and its use in arts and crafts. The eyes of carvings are often made of its shell.
The larva stage of this species lasts 5-6 years while they only spend about 48 hours as an adult.
Male pupa of this species will almost stop glowing a few days before hatching, while females will glow brighter. It is believed that this is to help attract a mate.
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