new zealand2
TRANSCRIPT
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/
Google photos
Thank you for watching!