What is the history of New Zealand's animals?
Q: What is the history of New Zealand's animals?
A: The animals of New Zealand have an unusual history. The islands were part of Gondwana, from which they separated 84 million years ago. Some plants and animals survive from that time, and birds flew there much later.
Q: What is New Zealand well known for?
A: New Zealand is well known for its terrestrial birds, some of which were large species (the moas).
Q: What was the main predator of the moas?
A: The main predator of the moas was other birds, such as the giant Haast's eagle.
Q: How long ago did New Zealand separate from Gondwana?
A: New Zealand separated from Gondwana 84 million years ago.
Q: Are there any native mammalian carnivores in New Zealand?
A: No, for millions of years there have been no native mammalian carnivores in New Zealand.
Q: What type of animal are the moas?
A: The moas are large species of terrestrial bird.
Q: How did the moas protect themselves before predators arrived on the islands?
A: Before predators arrived on the islands, the moas had no natural predators and so had to rely on their own defenses to protect themselves.
