Can You Identify These New Zealand Mammals?

By: Kennita Leon
Estimated Completion Time
3 min
Can You Identify These New Zealand Mammals?
Image: Oksana Schmidt / Moment / Getty Images

About This Quiz

The mammals of New Zealand, with the exception of sea animals, have not been around very long. Why? Because nine hundred years ago, this island nation was not accessible to animals who couldn't swim or fly. Animals now native to New Zealand are still new to the landscape, relatively speaking.

So besides the whales, dolphins, seals and sea lions that we know, there weren't any mammals there. When the Polynesians arrived, they brought with them animals like the kiore and dog. When the Europeans got there, more mammals arrived - cats, ferrets, stoats, deer and possums. 

Today, New Zealand is home to such a wide range of mammals that it can be virtually impossible to name them all, but that's exactly what we want you to do today. We're going to give you a list of animals native to the country and it'll be up to you to match them all to their names. If you can do that, you're an animal expert that even the late Crocodile Hunter himself would be proud of. 

So show us that you know all these mammals from New Zealand by acing this fun animal quiz!

Rabbit
Photography by Tim Bow / Moment Open / Getty Images
Usually known for their speed, which four-legged mammal do you see here?
African elephant
Slow loris
Rabbit
Lemur
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This particular breed of rabbit is known as the 'New Zealand Rabbit.' They reach an average weight of up to 12 pounds.

Advertisement

Mouse
Alan Tunnicliffe Photography / Moment / Getty Images
This mini stowaway was introduced by ship to New Zealand?
Aye-aye
Tarsier
Mouse
Gibbon
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A mouse is known for its large ears, long tail and pointed nose. In 2018, an eradication effort was attempted to preserve native bird species on the Antipodes Islands.

Advertisement

Goat
Saumil Shah - flickr.com / saumil / Moment Open / Getty Images
A cousin of the sheep, what animal is this?
Spider monkey
Goat
Pygmy marmoset
Penguin
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Goats are considered relatives of sheep and have over 300 breeds. While sheep are famous for proliferation in New Zealand, there are also many goats to be found there.

Advertisement

Blue Whale
gremlin / E+ / Getty Images
Which mammal from New Zealand is this?
Sloth
Blue whale
Rhino
Bandicoot
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The largest mammal in existence, the blue whale can weigh almost 200 tons, and its heart is the size of a small room. In spite of this, very little is known about the species.

Advertisement

Ferret
benedek / E+ / Getty Images
Troublesome creatures, can you tell us this New Zealander's name?
Lesser bushbaby
Ferret
Echidna
Tapir
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Ferrets are small mammals that can do a whole lot of damage. Like mice, rats, and other rodents, they're responsible for damaging native bird and reptile populations in island nations including New Zealand.

Advertisement

Whitetail deer
David C Stephens / Moment / Getty Images
Their colors are said to change depending on the season. Which animal is this?
Giant anteater
African elephant
Human
Whitetail deer
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Also referred to as Virginia Deer, the whitetail deer weighs up to 300 pounds. During the spring and winter, these deer are reddish-brown, while in the fall and winter they appear gray-brown.

Advertisement

Hedgehog
Oksana Schmidt / Moment / Getty Images
Can you tell us the name of this animal?
Tarsier
Lemur
Hedgehog
Pygmy marmoset
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Hedgehogs are said to have arrived on the islands in the 1870s. They were brought by European colonists and have now spread across the country, preying on native animals.

Advertisement

Pig
Danielle D. Hughson / Moment / Getty Images
One of the first animals to be domesticated, which farm favorite is this?
Gibbon
Pig
Aye-aye
Slow loris
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Pigs have large heads and long snouts which are used to find food. They are believed to have been the first domesticated animals.

Advertisement

Long-tailed bat
Wiki Commons by GH Ford
What animal would you say this is?
Long-tailed bat
Spider monkey
Platypus
Shrew
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The long-tailed bat, which is also called the New Zealand long-tailed bat, is one of just over a dozen bat species found in New Zealand. These bats generally feast on insects, and can fly nearly 40 miles per hour to find them!

Advertisement

Cow
Steve Daggar Photography / Moment Open / Getty Images
Known for their milk production, can you name this docile animal?
Moonrat
Lesser bushbaby
Cow
Penguin
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Cows make up a large part of New Zealand's economy, as milk is among their major exports. Take that, sheep!

Advertisement

Sperm whale
James R.D. Scott / Moment / Getty Images
Of the options, which New Zealand animal is this?
Bandicoot
Echidna
Sperm whale
Sloth
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Sperm whales are commonly called the cachalot. Although they only give birth every four to 20 years, the female sperm whale cares for their young for a full decade.

Advertisement

Rat
Pixelchrome Inc / DigitalVision / Getty Images
A pesky rodent to most, which animal do you see here?
Tapir
Pygmy marmoset
Rat
Giant anteater
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Most people aren't too fond of rats, but New Zealand takes their animus to a whole new level. According to the Guardian, the country will be rat-free by 2050 after undergoing a massive rodent extermination.

Advertisement

Striped dolphin
Fotosearch / Getty Images
Known for the patterns on its body, what kind of sea mammal is this?
Tarsier
Striped dolphin
Lemur
Orca
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The striped dolphin is one of the most common, traveling in groups of 25-100 in tropical waters. They can be found all around the world and can thrive for almost 60 years.

Advertisement

Wallaby
Posnov / Moment / Getty Images
Match this mammal to its name.
Gibbon
Miniroo
Slow loris
Wallaby
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Wallabies are closely related to the kangaroo clan. Found across the south pacific, wallabies use their tails for balance and their powerful legs for hopping -- and fighting, sometimes.

Advertisement

Mule
sjharmon / E+ / Getty Images
An animal that can't reproduce, what is this mix between a horse and donkey called?
New Zealand horse
Aye-aye
African elephant
Mule
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A mule is the hybrid young of a female horse and a male donkey. Mules appear in an array of colors, shapes and sizes, weighing up to 1,000 pounds.

Advertisement

New Zealand fur seal
Brit Finucci / Moment Open / Getty Images
Which of the options seems most fitting for this animal?
Lesser bushbaby
Platypus
Penguin
New Zealand fur seal
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Commonly referred to as kekeno, the New Zealand fur seal can be seen on the country's rocky coastlines. These expert swimmers prefer to be left alone and free from human interaction.

Advertisement

Weasel
zahoor salmi / Moment / Getty Images
This tiny creature can eat quite a bit. What is its name?
Wallaby
Sloth
Weasel
Mole
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Despite their cute appearance, weasels are deceitful animals. Their extremely quick metabolisms allow them to eat nearly half their body weight daily.

Advertisement

Red deer
UK Natural History / Moment / Getty Images
Not the largest of its kind, it may be one of the most vibrantly colored. Which animal is this?
Red deer
Reindeer
Pygmy marmoset
Tapir
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

As its name suggests, the red deer is usually reddish-brown, and is closely related to the American elk. Hunting and "commercial culling" have resulted in the population being much smaller today than in the mid-20th century.

Advertisement

Orca
by wildestanimal / Moment / Getty Images
Which New Zealander do you see here?
Gibbon
Orca
Giant anteater
Tarsier
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The orca is also called the killer whale and can be easily recognized by its black and white markings. Orcas belong to the dolphin family and are its largest member; however, their population across the world is in decline, especially in the Pacific Northwest. About 50,000 exist in the wild.

Advertisement

Hare
zahoor salmi / Moment / Getty Images
Used for its meat, among other things, this animal is the cousin of the rabbit. What is it called?
Spider monkey
Hare
Meercat
Jackalope
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Hares closely resemble rabbits but are noted for having longer ears. Despite their lower fat content, they are a source of meat in many cultures.

Advertisement

Stoat
Sandra Standbridge / Moment Open / Getty Images
A kind of weasel, what animal do you see in this picture?
Echidna
Aye-aye
Shrew
Stoat
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Another name for the stoat is the short-tailed weasel. As a form of rabbit control, these mammals were introduced to the country of New Zealand in the latter part of the 19th century.

Advertisement

Elephant seal
Chase Dekker Wild-Life Images / Moment / Getty Images
A large marine mammal, can you tell us the name of this animal?
Elephant seal
Lemur
sea lion
Long-nosed rush
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In fact, only male elephant seals have their distinctive "trunk." They can also weigh 4 tons and span nearly 20 feet!

Advertisement

Fin whale
Kelly Cheng / Moment / Getty Images
One of the largest in the world, do you think you could name the animal shown in this picture?
Fin whale
Great white shark
Orca
Platypus
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The fin whale is considered the world's second-largest species. It is referred to as the finback whale and previously called the herring or razorback whale.

Advertisement

Sheep
getti images / Moment / Getty Images
If you had to choose one of the animals below, which would you say this is?
Sheep
Tapir
Goat
Llama
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

It's true what they say: there are more sheep in New Zealand than there are people. In fact, there are about 10 sheep for every person in the country -- upwards of 40 million.

Advertisement

New Zealand sea lion
William C. Y. Chu / Moment Open / Getty Images
One of the rarest of its kind, can you tell us what kind of animal is?
Hornless walrus
Harp seal
New Zealand sea lion
Bandicoot
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

New Zealand sea lions are declining in population, and they are currently the rarest sea lion. Fishing nets pose the greatest threat to them, which is why the government is working to protect them.

Advertisement

Chamois
DieterMeyrl / E+ / Getty Images
Which New Zealand mammal is being shown in this picture?
Tarsier
Red deer
Chamois
Sloth
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This goat-antelope species, the chamois, is abundant throughout much of the world including the European Alps. It is a popular animal to hunt on New Zealand's South Island.

Advertisement

Moose
Jeff R Clow / Moment / Getty Images
Can you name the tallest of all deer species?
Red deer
Elk
Moose
Lesser bushbaby
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Moose are excellent swimmers and sometimes even travel miles at a time through the water. Despite their size, they are herbivores, preferring lichen and taller shrubs.

Advertisement

Fallow deer
Alan Tunnicliffe Photography / Moment / Getty Images
Brought to New Zealand by the Europeans, what's the name of this animal?
Fallow deer
Red deer
Moose
Penguin
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Although this species of deer originated in Europe, it has been brought to New Zealand and numerous other countries. The fallow deer can live up to 16 years.

Advertisement

Bushtail possum
Manuel ROMARIS / Moment / Getty Images
Do you know this animal's name?
Gibbon
Brushtail possum
Lemur
Shrew
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The brushtail possum is a nocturnal mammal and the second largest of the possum family. In the 1850s they were initiated into New Zealand as a means of introducing a fur industry.

Advertisement

Sei whale
Wiki Commons by Christin Khan, NOAA / NEFSC
This animal can live over the age of seventy. What is it called?
Giant dolphin
Sea whale
Sei whale
Tapir
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Sei whales are an endangered species. Like other marine mammals, they are vulnerable to human behavior in the ocean, and the combination of climate change, hunting, and commercial fishing operations have led to their declining numbers.

Advertisement

Hector's dolphin
George Karbus Photography / Cultura / Getty Images
Identify the New Zealand native being shown here.
Major fish
White whale
River dolphin
Hector's dolphin
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Hector's dolphin is native to New Zealand and is one of the smallest aquatic mammals. This group was named after Scottish naturalist and geologist Sir James Hector.

Advertisement

Tahr
Weimann / Photodisc / Getty Images
A relative of the wild goat, what is this animal called in its home country?
Tahr
Mountain deer
Goat
Sloth
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Tahr is believed to be a relative of wild goat. This species was established in New Zealand's Southern Alps and has since been hunted for recreational purposes.

Advertisement

Kiore
Wiki Commons by Forest and Kim Starr
The Pacific or Polynesian rat are two names that this animal goes by. What's the other one?
Kiore
Slow loris
Tarsier
Penguin
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The kiore was among the first mammals in New Zealand, and is believed to be responsible for the extinction of some bird species. Today, they are relatively uncommon, and will likely be wiped out by 2050 in order to preserve other vulnerable species.

Advertisement

Sambar deer
Arun Roisri / Moment / Getty Images
What kind of animal do you think this is?
Sambar deer
Lesser bushbaby
Aye-aye
Fawn
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The sambar deer is found in the North Island, and was originally brought to New Zealand from Sri Lanka, where it originated. There are just 2 main herds in New Zealand, and the species is listed as "vulnerable."

Advertisement

Leopard seal
Steve Clancy Photography / Moment / Getty Images
The females grow faster than the males, but what kind of animal is this?
Penguin
Leopard seal
Tiger seal
Seaseal
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Leopard seals are one of the more aggressive seals out there, eating everything from penguins to other species' seal pups! You don't want to run into these guys, whose only predators are humans, orcas, and, rarely, elephant seals.

Advertisement

Lesser short-tailed bat
Wiki Commons by GH Ford
What's this flying mammal's name?
Blue bat
Grapeseed bat
Fruit bat
Lesser short-tailed bat
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Habitat loss and pesky rodents have led to the decline of this little guy, who resides on the North Island. In winter, these bats stay in their roosts, where they go into a state of torpor, leaving again when the weather warms up.

Advertisement

Kuri
Wiki Commons by Best, Elsdon (1924)
Also called the Polynesian dog, what's the more common name of this animal?
Polydoo
Dingo
NZ fox
Kuri
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Kuri is a Polynesian dog which was lived in New Zealand for hundreds of years before becoming extinct. It is likely that cross-breeding with European dogs resulted in their becoming rare and then non-existent.

Advertisement

Dusky dolphin
Kim Westerskov / Photographer's Choice RF / Getty Images
Can you do us a favor and name this creature from New Zealand?
Dusky dolphin
Bottle-nosed dolphin
Aye-aye
Dolphino
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The dusky dolphin is an acrobat at sea! They're famous for their streamlined bodies and the incredible way that they flip and twist in the air.

Advertisement

Wapiti
Wiki Commons by MONGO
A type of deer, what's the name that this animal goes by in New Zealand?
Lesser bushbaby
Moose
Wapiti
Z deer
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

With a weight of up to 450 kilograms, the wapiti deer is known as the world's largest round-horned deer. With no hunting restrictions, they are hunted year-round in New Zealand.

Advertisement

You Got:
/39
Oksana Schmidt / Moment / Getty Images