This article was originally published on Critter Science.

The eastern rosella is a species of parrot native to south-eastern Australia and Tasmania. They were first introduced to New Zealand in cages, and individuals were either intentionally released or accidentally escaped into the wild. Now they inhabit the entire North Island and are working on the South Island. They […]

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This article was originally published on Critter Science.

The common brushtail possum is the 2nd largest of the Australasian possums. They are native to Australia and invasive in New Zealand because they are known for rapidly destroying native forests via heavy browsing, they prey on native bird eggs and chicks, and they also spread bovine tuberculosis to farm […]

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This article was originally published on Critter Science.

A fascinating and iconic flightless bird, the southern brown kiwi, aka tokoeka or common kiwi, hails from the south island of New Zealand. Like other species of kiwi, these birds face the ongoing threat of the impact of introduced varieties of predators such as stoats, dogs, cats, ferrets, and brushtail […]

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This article was originally published on Critter Science.

The weka, aka Māori hen or woodhen, is a omnivorous, flightless species of bird from the rail family. They hail from mainland New Zealand as well as the north island. Even though 4 subspecies are recognized, only 2 are supported by genetic evidence. They face the threats of habitat clearance […]

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This article was originally published on Critter Science.

The little spotted kiwi, aka little grey kiwi or kiwi pukupuku, is the smallest species of kiwi. This flightless bird hails only from a few restricted small offshore islands and mainland New Zealand reserves and is protected by pest-exclusion fences. These birds face the threat of the only remaining potential […]

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This article was originally published on Critter Science.

The Snares penguin, aka Snares crested penguin, Snares Islands penguin, or Pokotiwha (Māori), hails from the small island chains of New Zealand. These penguins face the threats of commercial fisheries, primarily squid fisheries, that these critters have to compete with for food. Pollution, mainly from oil spills, is another challenge […]

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This article was originally published on Critter Science.

The Fiordland penguin, aka Fiordland crested penguin, tawaki, pokotiwha, or New Zealand crested penguin, hails from New Zealand. They are also sometimes found in southern Australia. They are threatened by invasive species, in the form of stoats, habitat division, at the hands of roads and railroads, that can divide their […]

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This article was originally published on Critter Science.

The delicate skink, aka dark-flecked garden sun skink, garden skink, delicate garden skink, rainbow skink, plague skink, or metallic skink, while native to Australia, are invasive in New Zealand, Lord Howe Island, and Hawaii. These lizards face the threats of feral and domestic cats, that can sometimes wipe out entire […]

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This article was originally published on Critter Science.

The great spotted kiwi, aka great grey kiwi or roroa, is the largest species of kiwi and hails from the South Island of New Zealand. Kiwis are flightless birds. These birds face the threat of invasive species in the form of cats, dogs, feral pigs, and stoats. As a result, […]

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This article was originally published on Critter Science.

The European hedgehog, aka common hedgehog or West European hedgehog, can be found throughout Europe and has been introduced to New Zealand as well. They run the risk of habitat loss and destruction at the hands of residential and commercial developments, as well as farming and ranching; habitat division at […]

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