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New ZealandAnimals and ClimateMoon Ree JalakasTrini-Carmen Tuulik

New Zealand’s climate

What is unique about New Zealand’s climate? Located in the Southern Hemisphere Lies close to the coast The average New Zealand temperature decreases as you

travel south While the far north has subtropical weather during

summer, and inland alpine areas of the South Island can be as cold as -10°C in winter

Seasons Summer: December – February• Temperatures hovering around 20-30 degrees Celsius Autumn/Fall: March – May• A little cooler than in summer Winter: June – August• Brings colder weather• Snow in the south and rain in the north Spring: September-November• Brings weather of all types Four seasons in one day• Weather can change unexpectedly

Weather phenomena

Sunshine• Receive over 2,000 hours of sunshine a year• UV rays very strong Rain• Average rainfall high• Spread throughout the year• Northern areas - more rain falls in winter• Southern areas - least rainfall in winter• Ideal place for farming and horticulture

Storms

Snow• Appears during the months of June through October• Most snow falls in the mountainous areasStorms• Inconstant wind and storms• Wind storms and snow storms

Summer in New Zealand Winter in New Zealand

The animals of New Zealand

Interesting history Less than 900 years ago, the country was completely free of

mammals 60 species of lizards 4 species of frogs 2 species of tuatara (reptiles resembling lizards) Later Europeans brought pigs, ferrets, stoats, mice, rats, dogs,

cats sheep etc.

Birds of New Zealand

Evolved into an avifauna that included a large number of enemic species (species found in no other country)

New Zealand became a land of birds Many birds have become extinct and numerous more are

threatened with extinction Huge conservation efforts are being made to save the takahe,

kakapo, mohua, kokako and kiwi 153 species threatened with extinction

Kiwi Unique and curious bird It cannot fly Has loose, hair-like feathers Strong legs No tail New Zealand’s national icon,

unofficial national emblem 5 species, all endangered Nickname was bestowed by

Australian soldier in the First World War

Kakapo Night parrot Only 126 known surviving

birds Listed internationally as a

critically endangered species Distinctive colours Habit of feeding on the

ground Found all over New Zealand

Bats New Zealand’s only native

land mammals 3 species of bats: the long-

tailed bat, the lesser short-tailed bat and the greater short-tailed bat

The endangered lesser short-tailed bat is only found in a few locations around New Zealand

Marine mammals

Rich fauna of marine mammals ½ of the world’s cetaceans (whales, porpoises and dolphins) have

been reported in New Zealand waters

Hector’s dolphin

One of the smallest marine dolphins in the world

1,5 m long Only found in New Zealand’s

waters

Killer whale/orca

The longest member of the dolphin family

9 m long Regarded as apex predators

Lizards Belong to the group of reptiles This group includes crocodiles, turtles, snakes, tuatara and lizards In New Zealand there are only geckos and skinks

Jewelled green gecko

Baggy, velvet skin Broad head Eat insects, fruit and nectar Give birth to two young in late

summer/early autumn At least 39 species of geckos

in New Zealand Only 18 of them have been

formally described

References:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killer_whale http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birds_of_New_Zealand http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fauna_of_New_Zealand http://www.newzealand.com/int/feature/new-zealand-climate-and

-weather/

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