Field Guide to the Wildlife of New Zealand

New Zealand's dramatic scenery is home to some equally dramatic wildlife, featuring a host of endemics found nowhere else in the world. From giant wetas and the ancient Tuatara to a suite of beautiful birds, including flightless wonders such as the Kiwi and Kakapo, these animals help make New Zealand one of the world's greatest wildlife-tourism destinations. Although there have been severe losses due to introduced predators, the country has a fiercely determined conservation sector, and the future looks bright. \nThis fully revised and updated second edition of Julian Fitter's classic photographic field guide illustrates most of the vertebrate species to be found on the islands, there, as well as a large number of typical invertebrates and flora, with the photography accompanied by concise species texts. Reader-friendly and portable yet covering everything the visitor is likely to see, this book is an invaluable companion for anyone visiting these biodiverse Pacific islands. "New Zealand's dramatic scenery is home to some equally dramatic wildlife, featuring a host of endemics found nowhere else in the world. From giant wetas and the ancient Tuatara to a suite of beautiful birds, including flightless wonders such as the Kiwi and Kakapo, these animals help make New Zealand one of the world's greatest wildlife-tourism destinations. Although there have been severe losses due to introduced predators, the country has a fiercely determined conservation sector, and the future looks bright. This fully revised and updated second edition of Julian Fitter's classic photographic field guide illustrates most of the vertebrate species to be found on the islands, there, as well as a large number of typical invertebrates and flora, with the photography accompanied by concise species texts."--Publisher description Cover Title Copyright Dedication Contents Acknowledgements Author's Introduction Map of New Zealand Map of New Zealand and its Offshore Islands Introduction Geology and Geography Habitats Birds Mammals Amphibians and Reptiles Invertebrates Freshwater and Estuarine Fish The Seashore Native Trees and Shrubs Native Vines Epiphytes and Parasites Native Herbs Native Grasses, Sedges and Rushes Ferns and their Allies Fungi Bryophytes - Mosses, Liverworts and Hornworts Lichens Places to Visit Glossary Index Photo Credits A fully illustrated photographic field guide to New Zealand wildlife