From Auckland to Dunedin, the streets and beaches of New Zealand are home to a multitude of dangerous animals. While visiting New Zealand, you might come across sharks, sea lions, amphibious snakes, and a variety of spiders.
If you have the chance, you should definitely check out the fascinating animals while in New Zealand. There are many of species in the nation that most tourists have never seen!
These are eight of New Zealand’s most hazardous creatures.
1. Katipo Spider:
Scientific Name: Latrodectus katipo
Classification: Arachnida
Habitat: Sand dunes beneath logs
Diet: Carnivores
One of the two common venomous spiders in New Zealand, along with the Redback Spider, is the katipo spider. The black coloring of these spiders with a red line and a white border identifies them apart.
The only Katipo spider that is dangerous to people is the adult female. Native to New Zealand, the Katipo spider is found both in its northern and southern regions. It is usually encountered near beaches.
Humans can be poisoned by katipo spiders, however they are uncommon because of their generally peaceful nature.
Stepping on one or having a Katipo spider lodged in your garment increases your risk of getting bitten. Unless a person intentionally challenges a Katipo spider, it is unlikely that it will bite.
Attack deaths from Katipo spiders are rare but might happen. A Katipo spider bite typically causes pain and redness at the site of the bite, as well as perspiration, nausea, vomiting, and muscle aches.
Furthermore, respiratory problems and an elevated heart rate could also happen.
2. Bluebottle Jellyfish:
Scientific Name: Physalia physalis
Classification: Physalia
Habitat: Indian & Pacific Oceans
Diet: Carnivores
The summer months are when bluebottle jellyfish, commonly known as Portuguese Man O’ War, are most common in New Zealand’s waters. Australia is another typical place to find them.
Since the jellyfish are transparent blue in hue, they can be difficult to see in the water.
Most jellyfish stings in New Zealand are caused by bluebottle jellyfish. The bluebottle jellyfish has been linked to a number of fatalities worldwide.
These jellyfish may hurt people from a considerable distance because of their extraordinarily long tentacles, which can reach over six feet.
Bluebottle jellyfish venom can cause major injury to humans. For example, they frequently paralyze their victims with this venom.
Many of people who reported being stung by a bluebottle mentioned that their symptoms did not just affect the area where they were stung; they affected their entire body.
A bluebottle jellyfish sting can cause nausea, chest and stomach pain, and difficulty breathing. Additionally, localized welting, swelling, and redness were usually seen at the site of the sting.
Subsequent consequences from a bluebottle jellyfish sting could include an infection of the wound and exacerbation of the symptoms. Thankfully, the possibility of a sting victim experiencing anaphylactic shock is low.
3. Redback Spider:
Scientific Name: Latrodectus hasselti
Classification: Arachnida
Habitat: Rocks, shrubs, logs
Diet: Carnivores
In Central Otago and other drier regions of New Zealand, redback spiders are common. The majority of redback spiders that live in New Zealand are native to Australia, and they are most frequently seen in the summer.
Redback spider bites have increased in frequency as a result of the spiders’ preference for hiding out in New Zealand’s more developed regions.
Because of their diminutive size, these carnivorous spiders might be difficult for people to see, especially at night.
Only female redback spiders should be avoided by humans; bites from male redbacks are not thought to be dangerous, but a female redback’s bite can be very strong.
Generally speaking, a redback spider bite hurts more after time. Hours or even minutes after a bite can pass before experiencing severe discomfort. After a bite, this agony may persist for several days.
Redback spider venom can swiftly cause spasms in your muscles by attacking your nerves. Headaches, nausea, vomiting, exhaustion, and perspiration are additional serious symptoms of a redback spider bite.
Fatalities are quite rare since sufferers have access to antivenom.
4. Great White Shark:
Scientific Name: Carcharodon carcharias
Classification: Chondrichthyes
Habitat: Varying depths of ocean waters
Diet: Carnivores
New Zealand waters are frequently affected by great white sharks. The country is really believed to be a “hot spot” for these sharks.
North of Campbell Island, in the Exclusive Economic Zone, live the majority of these great white sharks. We regularly come upon them from September to November.
Great white sharks may kill or seriously injure their prey with ease. Their enormous build has something to do with this.
There have been reports of great white sharks measuring up to six meters in length and 3,000 kilograms in weight. Their size and speed together are frequently a surefire formula for trouble.
Even though there are many great white sharks in New Zealand, attacks are not common. Since 1958- 59, 350 hits have been reported to the International Shark Attack File, with fatalities.
The notorious great white shark is not usually a hostile species. Attacks frequently occur because the shark believes the human to be common prey, like a seal. However, great white attacks are undoubtedly lethal.
With their incredibly keen teeth, great white sharks can readily puncture through human skin. Extreme cuts and limb loss, including the loss of the arms and legs, are among the most common injuries caused by a great white shark.
Fatalities can happen following a great white attack that results in a significant blood loss.
5. Banded Sea Krait:
Scientific Name: Laticauda colubrina
Classification: Reptilia
Habitat: Laguna-close coral reefs in the Pacific Oceans, both east and west.
Diet: Carnivores
Amphibian sea snakes, or banded sea kraits, are native to New Zealand. Their noticeable black stripes help to identify them, and they are primarily found close to lagoons.
On the other hand, it is known that the sea kraits spend a large amount of the day on land.
Finding a banded sea krait is rare because they don’t seem to be at all interested in or bothered by humans.
Since 1880, there have only been six reports of sea krait sightings in New Zealand. The locations of the sightings were Northland, Ohope Beach, Castlepoint, the Bay of Plenty, and Whangaruru Harbor.
While they are not known to intentionally hunt people, banded sea kraits typically defend themselves when they feel threatened or provoked by them.
While it is quite unlikely to get bitten by a banded sea krait in New Zealand, their venom is regarded as some of the deadliest!
This is because to the venom’s neurotoxicity, which can cause excruciating agony in the form of cardiac and respiratory failure, seizures, and even paralysis.
Deaths may occur if prompt medical assistance is not given. But after a bite, the signs and symptoms of a banded sea krait bite usually appear a few hours later.
6. New Zealand Sea Lion:
Scientific Name: Phocarctos hookeri
Classification: Mammalia
Habitat: South New Zealand beaches
Diet: Carnivores
The sea lions of New Zealand, numbering about twelve thousand, are considered extremely rare.
The majority of these sea lions are distributed between Eight Island, Enderby Island, and Dundas Island in the Auckland Islands. Furthermore, a sizable portion of their people resides on Campbell Island.
Though it isn’t usually thought of as hostile or dangerous, New Zealand sea lions can bite people if they are provoked, in danger, or trying to protect their young.
Although sea lion bites have been documented all around the world, fatalities are uncommon.
Because of their size, sea lions are able to slap and bite humans. In addition to their massive size, sea lions have incredibly keen teeth. Sea lion bites frequently cause severe bleeding or illness.
A polymicrobial infection is more likely to occur in sea lion bite victims as a result of bacteria found in their mouths.
A sea lion bite can also cause regional discomfort, edema, redness, and drainage. Fever and nausea are possible side effects.
7. White-Tailed Spider
Scientific Name: Lampona cylindrata or Lampona murina
Classification: Arachnida
Habitat: Underneath rocks, logs, household gardens
Diet: Carnivores
White-tailed spiders are native to Australia, and they have been found all throughout New Zealand.
The North Island is home to a greater number of white-tailed spiders. These spiders have a defining white mark on their stomach that sets them apart from other dark gray spiders. White-tailed spiders frequently hide behind vegetation and inside buildings.
The majority of white-tailed spider bites were caused by mishandling or irritating the spider. Thankfully, it hasn’t been discovered that this spider’s venom poses a serious risk to people.
While the venom of white-tailed spiders may not be highly dangerous to humans, they may certainly cause discomfort to their victims. After an attack, pain is typically felt right after the bite.
The most typical localized signs of a White-Tailed spider bite include burning, itching, redness, and swelling.
Furthermore, symptoms like headaches, lethargy, nausea, and vomiting are less common indicators of a White-Tailed spider bite. The majority of symptoms go away 24 hours after the bite.
Necrorosis was formerly believed to be associated with white-tailed spider bites, however over time, scientific evidence has refuted this baseless theory.
8. Mosquitos:
Scientific Name: Culicidae
Classification: Insecta
Habitat: Forests, marshes, human-populated areas
Diet: Omnivores
Thirteen different kinds of mosquitoes, including the “ankle biting mosquito” and the salt pool mosquito, can be found in New Zealand.
In New Zealand, you may get bitten by a mosquito almost anywhere! Especially in the early or late hours of the day, they are constantly moving.
It’s interesting to note that most New Zealand mosquitoes only bite birds because of adaptations made throughout time. Still, some mosquito species (such as the salt pool mosquito) are attracted to the blood of mammals.
Many people overlook these little bloodsuckers when thinking of the hazardous creatures that call New Zealand home. Nonetheless, given that they are the primary cause of human mortality, mosquitoes merit greater attention.
Mosquitoes can spread deadly illnesses to people, such as malaria, Zika virus, and West Nile, because they feed on human blood.
The only real effects of mosquito bites are probably some localized redness and itching. More severe responses could result in a rash that resembles hives.
Conclusion:
In New Zealand, the likelihood of being attacked by any of these animals is very low. The majority of these animals are not known to actively attack people, despite the fact that they can be harmful. Thanks to its conservationists, New Zealand is a destination worth seeing.
It is important to keep in mind that each animal will react differently to humans approaching. It is advisable to use caution and maintain a safe distance from wild animals.