Giant Weta

The specimen in the image is a female, approximately 1 year of age. They are known to live between 2-3 years, and grow for their entire lifespans. This species of weta is one of the largest insects in the world. They reach up to 7 centimetres in length, with the females able to grow significantly larger than males. They moult, meaning they shed their exoskeleton, and can do so once every couple of months. Weta are an ancient species, potentially having survived since the era of dinosaurs.

Weta are nomadic loners. They emerge from their concealed hiding places in soil, logs, or under stones to climb into foliage to forage for fresh growth to eat. Weta have some of the largest faeces compared to body size of any known member of the kingdom Animalia. Weta have many natural predators, eaten by birds and tuatara, as well as cats and other introduced predators.

This species of weta had been eradicated by pests from the mainland, surviving only on Maud Island and Stephens Island in the Cook Strait. In 2007, the species was released into Zealandia Wildlife Sanctuary, making a comeback to the mainland. Natureland is working towards a breeding population also in the hopes of participating in a breed for restoration project of the species into safe habitats. population of little blue penguins, and Natureland works with the Department of Conservation to rehabilitate penguins and release them back into safe habitats. Penguins come to Natureland starved, weak, with high parasite loads, or sometimes injured by dog bites from curious beach going pets. Take the lead, and always keep your dog under control when walking in known bird habitats and nest sites, especially in spring and summer.