Isolated from the rest of the world with its pristine forests and diverse landscapes, Aotearoa New Zealand holds many natural treasures. One might even say these are oddities because such creatures or plants are found nowhere else. 

When it comes to New Zealand’s wildlife, the first thing that comes to anyone’s mind is the iconic Kiwi. These flightless birds look odd enough, but these aren’t the only oddities of Aotearoa. There are many other native and endemic creatures that are very different both in morphology and behaviour from their cousins living elsewhere.

From carnivorous snails to mountain parrots, the oddities unique to the land are many.

Carnivorous Snails

Snails are known to be voracious herbivores, but here in New Zealand, there are snails that have a taste for meat, especially earthworms. These carnivorous snails fall under the genus Powelliphanta, consisting of 20 species, all endemic to New Zealand.

Apart from their interesting diet, they are also quite large compared to other snails. For instance, the largest species, Powelliphanta superba can grow up to nine centimetres in length and 90 grams in weight.

To add to their oddness, they lay 12 millimetres long hard-shelled eggs, unlike the soft smaller eggs of other snails. These eggs almost look like that of a small bird.

Glowing Earthworms

It’s not diamonds or emeralds that glow under the earth of Aotearoa, but earthworms. There are two native species that can glow in the dark. They are Octochaetus multiporus and North Auckland Worm (Anisochaeta gigantea).

Emitting a bright orange-yellow glow is not the only surprise the North Auckland worm has in store. It is a giant in the mini animal kingdom that can grow up to 1.4 metres in length. The reason for the glow is a type of slimy fluid the worms secrete, which helps them to move.

Stingless Bees

We know bees as social insects that live in large hives and produce tasty honey, not to mention their vicious sting. But here, the native bees have none of these.

The common Honeybees we see and use commercially were actually introduced to New Zealand. Meanwhile, the smaller native bees consist of 28 species and 27 of them are endemic.

Instead of living in hives, these bees live a solitary life. The female digs its nest in the ground and lays eggs. Then she feeds the larvae with nectar and cares for them by herself.

Since they don’t have large stashes of honey to protect, it makes sense why they don’t need a stinger.

Frogs without a tadpole stage

New Zealand is home to an ancient group of frogs that hasn’t changed much for the past 70 million years. There are three of these endemic amphibians, namely the Archey’s frog (Leiopelma archeyi), Hamilton’s frog (Leiopelma hamiltoni), and Hochstetter’s frog (Leiopelma hochstetteri).

Surprisingly, Archey’s and Hamilton’s frogs don’t have a tadpole stage. The young frogs hatch as fully formed tiny versions of their parents. These frogs are quite good at parenting. For instance, the male Archey’s carries the young on his back.

Three-eyed Reptiles

Tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus) is the largest reptile in New Zealand with an average body length of 0.5 metres. Having three eyes is not the only strange attribute this reptile possesses. Although it may look like a lizard, this endemic species is the only surviving member of a separate group of reptiles called Sphenodontia, which has been living since the time of the dinosaurs.

Its third eye is located on its forehead, but not very noticeable. That’s because it’s covered by a layer and as it ages, scales grow over it. It’s not a type of eye that can form images. It’s called a parietal eye which can only detect light.

Scientists are still baffled about the actual purpose of this eye. However, there’s an idea that it may be used to judge the time of the day or seasons, based on the intensity of light.

Mountain Parrots