I thought it was interesting in my research that one source stated rodents are found everywhere except Antarctica, New Zealand, and a few small islands. However, it sounds like you have rats. Perhaps they meant you don't have any naturally occurring rodents? Rats and mice usually arrived with explorers on ships, but it's interesting there aren't any other natural rodents such as squirrels, chipmunks, prairie dogs or beavers in New Zealand.
New Zealand is a curious case when it comes to mammals. Before the arrival of humans, New Zealand had only three land mammals, all bats. The first humans introduced rats and dogs. The second lot of humans introduced two more rat species and mice along with rabbits, three species of mustelid, goats, pigs, deer, cattle, sheep, horses, cats, and more but not squirrels. The native biodiversity did not take this well and promptly started going extinct in a number of different waves, the first following the first humans, rats and dogs, the second following the extra rodents, pigs and goats in the late 1700s, the next lot following mustelid introduction in the late 1800s and a further wave which is still going on. Many of our native species which have survived did so only because some islands remained free of introduced mammals.
As you might guess from my ramble, I've looked into this and wrote an article about it a while back.
I've actually written several, if you're interested let me know and I'll send you the links as they're buried deep in my archive which I haven't organised in a long time.
This is a great piece, Melanie -- thanks so much for sharing it. I had no idea New Zealand had so few mammals before we mammals arrived. Humans have had such a hand in homogenizing ecosystems as we have encountered them through the ages. What I would give to be able to visit places around the world as they were before we arrived...
I didn't know it was called splooting, but I've seen the squirrels in Acadia doing this as it's been getting more humid and warm in the summers lately. I didn't know this about their teeth - fascinating. Wonderful post - thank you!
Violets are also an acid base indicator in a really fun way! They turn brilliantly pink in the presence of acid, like lemon juice, meaning: pink lemonade! Pour boiling water over the flowers, let sit for a while, shake and strain off the flowers, then pour that dark liquid into your lemonade for a fun color change
Great post. We are over run with squirrels and wild violets this Spring. I once had a squirrel insistently take possession of some colourful Buddhist prayer flags for her nest. They are skilful and colourful little mammals.
We used to have more squirrels around our house, even had names for some of them, and then a pair of nesting hawks moved in. Many fewer squirrels now...
I've seen soap chewed by rats here in New Zealand but don't think we have any animals which chew metal signs. Fascinating.
I thought it was interesting in my research that one source stated rodents are found everywhere except Antarctica, New Zealand, and a few small islands. However, it sounds like you have rats. Perhaps they meant you don't have any naturally occurring rodents? Rats and mice usually arrived with explorers on ships, but it's interesting there aren't any other natural rodents such as squirrels, chipmunks, prairie dogs or beavers in New Zealand.
New Zealand is a curious case when it comes to mammals. Before the arrival of humans, New Zealand had only three land mammals, all bats. The first humans introduced rats and dogs. The second lot of humans introduced two more rat species and mice along with rabbits, three species of mustelid, goats, pigs, deer, cattle, sheep, horses, cats, and more but not squirrels. The native biodiversity did not take this well and promptly started going extinct in a number of different waves, the first following the first humans, rats and dogs, the second following the extra rodents, pigs and goats in the late 1700s, the next lot following mustelid introduction in the late 1800s and a further wave which is still going on. Many of our native species which have survived did so only because some islands remained free of introduced mammals.
As you might guess from my ramble, I've looked into this and wrote an article about it a while back.
https://theturnstone.substack.com/p/the-path-to-extinction
I've actually written several, if you're interested let me know and I'll send you the links as they're buried deep in my archive which I haven't organised in a long time.
This is a great piece, Melanie -- thanks so much for sharing it. I had no idea New Zealand had so few mammals before we mammals arrived. Humans have had such a hand in homogenizing ecosystems as we have encountered them through the ages. What I would give to be able to visit places around the world as they were before we arrived...
Welcome, Toby 💛
I didn't know it was called splooting, but I've seen the squirrels in Acadia doing this as it's been getting more humid and warm in the summers lately. I didn't know this about their teeth - fascinating. Wonderful post - thank you!
I love the word too, splooting. I've not seen our squirrels do it down here in Georgia - maybe they're conditioned to the heat?
Violets are also an acid base indicator in a really fun way! They turn brilliantly pink in the presence of acid, like lemon juice, meaning: pink lemonade! Pour boiling water over the flowers, let sit for a while, shake and strain off the flowers, then pour that dark liquid into your lemonade for a fun color change
Love this idea - thanks for sharing it! I'll definitely try it!
Great post. We are over run with squirrels and wild violets this Spring. I once had a squirrel insistently take possession of some colourful Buddhist prayer flags for her nest. They are skilful and colourful little mammals.
We used to have more squirrels around our house, even had names for some of them, and then a pair of nesting hawks moved in. Many fewer squirrels now...