Critter Of The Week
Critter of the Week: Chatham Islands' pleasing fungus beetle
This week's critter is 'A pleasing fungus beetle', a secretive and endangered beetle from Rangiauria in the Chatham Islands. We don't know much about the pleasing fungus beetle, Cryptodacne… Audio
Critter of the Week: Robust Skink
Described as a 'sausage with legs', the Robust skink is our largest native lizard species. It's a real beauty with big, dark eyes and rusty colouring but its large body and night-time habits make it… Audio
Critter of the Week: Land planarians or flatworms
Land planarians are found throughout Aotearoa in damp forests. They come in a variety of colours and patterns but many of our unique species are still unknown. They attack unsuspecting prey with… Audio
Critter of the Week: Prickly king crab
The native Prickly king crab, Paralomis zealandica, is one of the least cuddly critters imaginable. It's covered all over in strong rosy spikes and lives in the cold depths of the southern Pacific… Audio
Critter of the Week: Flying Duck Orchid
This week's critter is an endangered orchid that looks like a miniature flying duck with a head covered in glossy warts. The flying duck orchid hoodwinks hapless male wasps with a sneaky trapdoor… Audio
Critter of the Week: Giant Weta Fungus
This week's critter is a super rare fungus that attacks giant weta. It's only been seen a handful of times and might be more threatened than the weta it feeds on! Audio
Critter of the Week: Prickly Stick Insect
You might find this week's critter on your rose bush, munching on the leaves of your plum tree, or in native forests. The prickly stick insect, Acanthoxyla prasina, is incredibly good at looking like… Audio
Critter of the Week: Alpine Shield Bug
This week's critter is one you don't want to pick up! The alpine shield bug is flightless, consumes pre-digested plant material and produces a nasty aroma when touched. Audio
Critter of the Week - the Fairy Lantern
This week's Critter of the Week is the Fairy Lantern. It's a floral thief that steals energy from other plants, rather than making its own through photosynthesis. Doc's Nicola Toki explains. Audio
Critter of the week t-shirt update
Orders for our t-shirts must be in by the 31st of October. We thought it would be a good time to have a chat with the company that makes the t-shirts - Liminal Apparell as they have a pretty… Audio
Critter of the Week Kermadec red-crowned kakariki
This week's Critter of the Week is the Kermadec red-crowned kakariki. They are similar to the mainland red-crowned kakariki, but are slightly larger and prefer a warmer climate, says Doc's Nicola… Audio, Gallery
Critter of the Week: Manuka chafer beetle
This week's critter is the manuka chafer beetle. They are a glorious bright metallic green and were set into jewellery throughout the Victorian era. Audio, Gallery
Critter of the Week Bake-off winners – and this week's Critter, a native wasp
We were incredibly impressed by all of the entries in the inaugural Critter of the Week Bake-off and judging was very difficult. However there can only be one winner, and it is... Jasmin Hollister and… Audio, Gallery
Critter of the Week: The New Zealand Giant Springtail
Springtails are small, six legged arthropods which live mainly in the soil and leaf litter and such moist habitats. DoC's threatened species ambassador, Nicola Toki tells us about the New Zealand… Audio
