Snakes in New Zealand. In New Zealand, snakes are illegal. New Zealand takahe bird
Its unique natural and animal world, rich in endemic plants and birds, is due to its remoteness from other lands and long-term historical isolation for 60-80 million years.
2. About 1000 years ago, when there were no permanent inhabitants on the islands, there were no mammals living on the territory of New Zealand, except for two species of bats, as well as whales, sea lions and seals that lived in coastal waters.
3. The active formation of European settlements in the 19th century provoked the emergence of new animal species. During the settlement of New Zealand lands, dogs and rats appeared on the islands, and later Europeans brought goats, cows, pigs, cats and mice to New Zealand.
4. This became a real test for the fauna of the islands. Rabbits, rats, stoats, ferrets and cats, which were brought in for hunting, reached large sizes because they had no natural enemies.
5. Currently, New Zealand's environmental authorities carefully monitor New Zealand's fauna, and some areas have been completely rid of animals that pose a threat to the country's fauna and flora.
New Zealand takahe bird
6. New Zealand is home to two types of endemic mammals, which are descended from rare species of bats. Animals of New Zealand, which can be called the most striking representatives of the fauna of this country: the kiwi bird, the world's largest owl parrot, the kakapo, one of the oldest reptiles, the tuatara, the only mountain parrot, the kea, the hatteria, and the European hedgehog.
7. Animals of New Zealand are also freshwater fish species, of which twenty-nine species live here. Eight of them are now on the verge of extinction.
8.More than 40 species of ants also live in this country.
9. For a long period of time it was believed that snakes did not live in New Zealand. But in the 2000s, a group of researchers from Australia and New Zealand discovered the remains of these reptiles. This discovery was proof that snakes did live in New Zealand approximately 15-20 million years ago.
10. For what reason these animals became extinct is not known to this day. A number of scientists suggest that this happened due to the Ice Age. Snakes simply could not stand the cold, and since New Zealand is located at a fairly distant distance from civilization, new species of reptiles could not be brought here in time.
Kiwi bird
11. The symbol of New Zealand - the kiwi - is positioned as a bird, although it cannot even fly, it does not have full wings.
12. Representatives of this genus of wingless do not have feathers, instead they grow hair, and they also have very powerful paws, with the help of which these creatures walk and run.
13.Kiwi are nocturnal animals. They developed the ability to hide in forests or bushes and be nocturnal, which reduced the likelihood of being eaten by other animals. The main enemies of kiwi are birds - eagles and falcons.
14.They are very aggressive. By the way, kiwis do not defend themselves with their beaks, like birds, but use their sharp claws.
15.There are five types of kiwi in total.
Owl parrot kakapo
16. Kakapo is a single representative of the subfamily of owl parrots.
17. His facial plumage is very developed, so he is similar to owls.
18. The parrot's feathers are green with black stripes on the back. The kakapo has excellent wings, but due to the fact that the keel of the sternum is practically undeveloped and the muscles are very weak, it cannot fly.
19. These endemics used to be widespread in New Zealand, but now remain only in the southwestern part of the South Island. The parrot lives in forests and areas with high humidity.
20. Kakapo is the only parrot that leads a predominantly nocturnal or crepuscular lifestyle. During the daytime, it hides in burrows or rock crevices.
New Zealand tuatara
21. Tuatara is a unique animal of New Zealand, a descendant of dinosaurs.
22.It is protected at the legislative level, and the government is trying to prevent the extinction of the population, since there are only one hundred thousand reptiles left.
23.They have a lot of enemies, including themselves (male tuatara are considered cannibals and can eat eggs and young offspring). They are also attacked by birds and other predators.
24. Among tuatara, mortality exceeds birth rate. Reproduction of offspring requires a long period.
25.These reptiles live up to about a hundred years. Tuatara's favorite food is insects.
Ermine
26. An ermine is a predator animal; it has 34 sharp teeth and paws with tenacious claws. These animals are very agile and crawl well through trees. The stoat eats small rodents and birds.
27. The stoat was brought to New Zealand to control the rabbit population. But the animal successfully acclimatized and began to reproduce very intensively, which led to an increase in the population. So the ermine turned from a helper into a pest, which began to destroy the chicks and eggs of local birds.
28. In New Zealand, they found the remains of flightless giant moi birds, exterminated more than five hundred years ago, whose height was three and a half meters.
New Zealand Kangaroo
29. There are also kangaroos here. These New Zealand animals prefer to be nocturnal and live in groups of several individuals. Many kangaroo species are on the verge of extinction.
30. New Zealand animals that cannot survive on their own live in 14 national parks and hundreds of small reserves under the constant supervision of specialists. Almost all animal species in this country are under state protection.
New Zealand giant skink
31. New Zealand lizards are skinks. There are three types of skinks: otago, sutera and greater skink.
32.They can often be seen on the rocks, where they bask in the sun. The number of large skinks alone, according to the Ministry of Nature Conservation, is 2-3 thousand individuals.
33. Otago is a giant among endemic lizards and reaches 30 cm in length.
34. Skinks breed every year. The offspring are usually 3–6 young. Lizards feed on insects and plant fruits.
35. Skinks have greenish-yellow skin with stripes that provide excellent camouflage in rocky, lichen-covered environments.
New Zealand fur seal
36. The New Zealand fur seal belongs to the species of eared seals. Their fur is grayish-brown in color. Males have a luxurious black mane.
37.These animals of New Zealand live throughout the ocean, primarily on Macquarie Island. It is inhabited year-round by young males who are not yet able to conquer their own territories.
38. At the end of the 19th century, large populations of fur seals were almost completely exterminated. Currently, the animals are listed in the Red Book; there are approximately 35 thousand of them.
39. Why aren’t snakes brought to New Zealand today? Of course, if there was such a need, snakes could be brought here, at least from neighboring Australia, but the fact is that snakes are outlawed in New Zealand.
40. Breeding or keeping this reptile at home in New Zealand is strictly prohibited! Also, those who accidentally saw a snake but did not report it to the relevant authorities will also face a fine.
New Zealand sea lions
41.The New Zealand sea lion is brown and black in color. Males have a mane that covers their shoulders, which makes them appear larger and more powerful. Females are much smaller than males, their fur is light gray.
42.95% of the fur seal population is found on Auckland Island. Each male defends its own territory from other males. In battles, the most resilient and strongest representative wins. There are approximately 10-15 thousand individuals of this species.
43.But still, there are snakes in New Zealand, only not terrestrial, but sea snakes - the already visible sea krait and the yellow-bellied bonito. These reptiles were left alive only because they do not crawl onto land and are practically not found near the coast of New Zealand.
44.So why are the authorities so sensitive and categorical about preventing snakes from appearing in New Zealand? And the answer is simple - the snakes would immediately destroy the main symbol of the country - the kiwi bird.
45.The most dangerous representative of the animal world of New Zealand is the feral boar.
New Zealand insect - weta
46.Weta lives here. This huge insect, weighing more than a sparrow, resembles a huge cockroach.
47.But there are no mosquitoes in New Zealand.
48. The carnivorous snail Powelliphanta, listed in the Red Book, is also found in the country. She is capable of devouring worms that are not inferior to her in size.
49.The smallest species of dolphin, Hector’s dolphin, lives off the coast of New Zealand. An adult reaches 1.4 m in length, which is smaller than the average adult.
50.However, despite strict control, there is still a certain advantage in the absence of snakes in New Zealand - the country is considered one of the safest countries in the world for outdoor travel.
photo from the Internet
According to the New Zealand Ministry of Primary Industries, which is responsible, among other things, for environmental safety, there are not a single land snake in this country. And the authorities want to maintain this state of affairs, so snakes are outlawed.
It's not just keeping or breeding land snakes that is illegal: even if you just saw a snake and didn't report it to the authorities, you could face a fine. There are no snakes in zoos or research laboratories. However, there are at least 2 species of sea snakes off the coast of New Zealand, but they are not counted because they spend their entire lives in the water.
Apart from New Zealand, snakes are not found in Greenland, Antarctica and some of the Hawaiian Islands.
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If you hate snakes and want to avoid encountering them at all costs, you should definitely go to New Zealand. After all, snakes are simply prohibited there (so much so that even their very existence is illegal).
Not only does this mean that you will never find a snake in the New Zealand wild (even if you do, it will soon be mercilessly destroyed). You can't keep snakes as pets there either. They are prohibited from being kept in zoos, research institutions or anywhere else. However, the owner of the snake will not get off with a small fine - just ask Nathan Bush.
In 2011, Bush purchased a pet snake. When she was discovered, he was brought to trial and sentenced to four months in prison. That's how serious New Zealand is about snakes. Essentially, if a New Zealander simply becomes aware of the existence of a snake in their country, they are legally obligated to report it to the authorities to help keep the country completely free of these reptiles.
Snakes are completely absent, at least on land in New Zealand. Fighting their sea counterparts, as you understand, is a little more difficult. Land snake species are not allowed into the country because none of them are native to the New Zealand islands.
New Zealand is famous for many things, including as the “land of the hobbits” (it was in this country that the film “The Lord of the Rings” was filmed). And, as it turns out, you can find a hissing Gollum there rather than a real snake. This is simply surprising given its proximity to southern Australia, home to some of the world's most dangerous snakes.
New Zealand is one of the few areas in the world where there are no snakes at all. Besides it, these are Greenland, Antarctica and partly the Hawaiian Islands. So if you are afraid of creepy crawlies, now you know where to go on holiday!
Snakes are reptiles that live on every continent except the ice-clad Antarctica, where cold-blooded creatures simply cannot survive. Ireland is an island, and there are not a single snake here, despite the fact that in Great Britain, on the island located literally next door, they are found. The distance between them is about 80 km, they have very similar flora and fauna, and climatic conditions. In any case, an inquisitive person will wonder why snakes are found on one island and have been found for thousands of years, while on another they have never been found in the entire history of mankind.
If you think about it, consider the geological past of the planet, it will not be difficult to answer the question. The answer can be found by considering the planet's ice ages.
Ice ages and the spread of reptiles
Reptiles, as cold-blooded creatures, are attached to warmth, to the opportunity to warm up at least in the short summer, otherwise they cannot be mobile, cannot exist. Ice ages occur periodically; the exact interval is not clear to scientists, but geological surveys allow us to make some assumptions. Every few million years, the climate on the planet becomes colder, the polar ice caps move further south, covering larger areas, and then, with warming, retreat.
The last time the ice shells grew was about 110 thousand years ago, and about 10 thousand years ago they began to retreat, freeing Britain in particular. Since the lands in northern Europe and the nearby islands again became fertile, the migration of people and animals to these spaces began. While the water level was low due to the fact that not all the ice had melted, and part of the water of the World Ocean was contained in glaciers, excellent conditions were created for the settlement of living beings. They easily entered the territories, which became islands when the water level rose, via land bridges.
Interesting:
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The bridge between the future island of Great Britain and Ireland was the first to be flooded; during this period, there were still many glaciers here that prevented the normal functioning of the snakes. Britain was connected to the mainland for about 2 thousand years, during which time the climate managed to become even milder, snakes were able to move to the island from the mainland before the formation of the English Channel. But they could not get to Ireland; it had already been separated by ocean waters.
The Legend of Snakes and St. Patrick
Besides the scientific explanation, there is also a legend that tells how St. Patrick drove the snakes off the island. A Christian legend tells that the saint gathered snakes on Mount Crow, ordering them to throw themselves into the waters. But the oldest, cunning snake did not listen to him. Then Patrick argued with him that he could not fit in the chest because of his size. Proving the opposite, the snake climbed into the chest, where the saint closed it, and then also threw it into the water.
Interesting fact: Ireland is not the only island without snakes. They are not found on many other islands, even large ones - in Greenland, Hawaii, and New Zealand. They cannot swim long distances, with the only exception being sea snakes, which remain primarily in the water element.
Is it possible to bring snakes to places where there are none?
The modern climate of Ireland creates all the conditions for the habitat of reptiles, and in particular snakes. But they exist only within private collections, in zoos and terrariums. The fact is that introducing new species to places where they were not originally found and releasing them into the open environment of an established ecosystem is extremely fraught. They can cause serious damage by changing the balance of already established food chains, destroying local species, exterminating them for food, or depriving them of natural prey, occupying places suitable for life and breeding.
Almost everyone fears or dislikes snakes. There are three types of people: 1% love snakes (they pick them up, play with them, have them at home), 94% would like to stay away from them. And there are 5% who are afraid of snakes more than anything else. Everyone has a friend like this: nod at any string - oh, snake! And that’s it, he already squeals and runs away in horror. It's easier for them to die than to stay in a room with snakes. But how much do we know about snakes? The majority knows almost nothing - let's fix that.
Actually, snakes kill people all the time.
Do you think it is very rare and exotic to die from a snake bite? It depends where you live. If you live in India, bad news: more than 80 thousand people are bitten by vipers and cobras every year, and 10 thousand of them die. This is the most dangerous region in terms of snake activity and aggressiveness. Obviously, somewhere in Vermont the chances of encountering a snake are much less, but we implore you - watch your step, wherever you are.Is there a place on Earth completely without snakes?
The general rule is: the colder it is, the fewer snakes there are. It’s almost safe in the Arctic Circle and Antarctica, but you can’t go there on vacation. Few snakes in Iceland, Ireland and New Zealand. Some countries are full of snakes, but generally most are non-venomous. It is important for you to know that the snakes themselves do not want to meet you at all; they avoid people with all their might. Actually, there's another great way to avoid snakes: stay home.
Vessey's Snake, Maine's Favorite
One of the places where there are no poisonous snakes is the American state of Maine. But they have a snake known as Vessie (similar to Nessie, the Loch Ness monster). They say she is as long as a huge truck and has a head the size of a football. Fear, of course, has big eyes. The press reported: "A snake was seen in the park area feasting on a large mammal - probably a beaver." What a great place, right in the park, next to the playgrounds, snakes the size of trucks eating beavers! This is where you should go on vacation - adventures are guaranteed.
Don't mess with the black Mamba
If you've ever seen Tarantino's Kill Bill, you probably remember the mention of the black mamba as the most dangerous snake. Most herpentological experts agree: the black mamba is the most dangerous of all snakes in the world. Why is the mamba a symbol of horror? What's so scary about it? In addition to its strong poison, the black mamba is damn fast and fast, reaching speeds of over 11 km/h over short distances. But that's not the main thing. Its open mouth is black on the inside and to many it seems like a coffin, which instantly makes it creepy. The mamba lives in Africa, so walk there with double caution.
Does the snake eye have no eyelids?
The unblinking gaze of a cold-blooded killer...fear has big eyes, what people can’t come up with! So why don't snakes blink? It turns out that it’s not because they don’t have eyelids. Snakes have eyelids, you just can’t see them - they are transparent and fused. The thin skin that protects the eyes comes off together with the snake's skin in one "stocking" when molting. So the hypnotizing gaze of a snake is a pure myth.
Lebanese commandos are so tough they eat live snakes
During the annual ceremony, Lebanese commandos tear live snakes with their teeth. The senseless cruelty is intended to confirm their willingness to defeat the enemy with their bare hands. Yeah, that's probably true: if you can tear apart and eat a live snake, then you can probably do a whole bunch of super-tough stuff on the battlefield. There's no time for jokes here, poor snakes.
It was no coincidence that Voldemort called Nagini that way
Nagini is a huge poisonous one that belongs to Lord Voldemort. In Sanskrit and North Indian languages, naga means "king cobra" and naginii is feminine, female cobra. In "Harry Potter" there is a clear reference to the character of Kipling's fairy tale "Riki-tiki-tavi", where the king cobra was called Nagana (actually that cobra was called "Naked", because Kipling almost all the names of animals are just their names in Hindi) . The transliteration “Nagaina” has taken root in the Russian translation, and it was this that was included in “Riki-Tiki-Tavi” and in “Harry Potter”.
What do rattlesnakes rattle?
Something, a rattle, of course! And not just like that, the rattlesnake seems to say: I’m here, don’t step on it, stay away from me! When a rattlesnake is excited, its tail vibrates and rattles the rings at the end of the tail hitting each other. The result is a sharp buzzing sound. It can be heard at a distance of 20 meters and can be avoided by the snake.
Fairytale boomslangs exist
The boomslang snake, whose skin someone was always trying to steal from Snape's laboratory in Harry Potter, actually exists (boomslang skin is an important ingredient in witchcraft potions, for example, it is part of Polyjuice Potion). Its name comes from the African boomslang and means "tree snake". The boomeslang's green eyes have excellent vision, and the snakes almost always manage to avoid encounters with humans. But if they are caught, they sting. There are even several deaths reported as a result of a boomslang bite.
Titanoboa were the largest snakes on Earth
Those who are afraid of snakes probably don’t need to imagine what titanoboa mastodons looked like (although they would be better off not reading this post at all). Titanoboa snakes are long extinct; they lived on Earth approximately 58 million years ago. They were huge: the length reached 15 meters, the girth of the body was about a meter, and the weight was more than a ton. Unfortunately, we are not destined to meet such beauty in reality, but there are models of giants in several museums.
Snake with a coin
The Barbados narrow-mouthed snake or "Charles' snake" is the smallest in the world. An adult baby snake is no longer than 10 centimeters. They live only on the island of Barbados in the Caribbean Sea. They are completely harmless, they don’t even have teeth. Apparently this is why the snake is on the verge of extinction (or because the forests where they lived were all cut down). And it was named by the American biologist Hedge in honor of his wife, herpentologist Carla Ann Hass, about whose character history is silent.
Taipans are the most poisonous
Australian inland taipan, also called the "fierce snake". If you want to look at taipans, they live in the central part of Australia. This is the most poisonous of land snakes; the venom in one bite is enough to kill a hundred people. So, it’s probably better not to meet with them, they are very fast: when they see danger, they raise their heads and sting with lightning speed several times in a row. Before the invention of the antidote in 1955, 90% of their victims died from the bite of taipans.
The snake's heart is mobile inside its body
The snake's heart is not fixed: due to the lack of a diaphragm, the snake's heart is mobile and is able to move inside its body, dodging damage when something large goes down the esophagus. So if a snake eats something really huge, its heart will just roll away and then come back. The cardiovascular system of snakes has a unique system where blood from the snake's tail passes through the kidneys before returning to the heart. Isn’t it true how wisely nature arranged everything?
The unique arrangement of internal organs is not at all human
This is exactly what you didn’t know: unlike the paired human organs, which are located symmetrically, the internal organs of a snake have an elongated shape, are completely asymmetrical and single. Some of the snake organs used to have a pair, but during the process of evolution they lost their significance and became unpaired. Most snakes have only one lung, the second is usually rudimentarily developed.
Deadly poisonous or slightly toxic - it is better not to experiment
The venom of a viper and a cobra, of course, is different from what a girlfriend might pour into your glass. Eaten poison and a poisonous snake bite somewhere in the neck are two different things, and in the second case the action occurs many times faster. Whether it is toxic or deadly is never known for sure, and individual reactions to a poison can be unpredictable. We hope you never have to find out about this in real life. And remember that the snake cannot harm you if it is at a distance. Watch your step, stay away from snakes and take care of yourself!