Bats are New Zealand's only native land mammals.
There are three species: the long-tailed bat, the lesser short-tailed bat, and greater short-tailed bat.
Greater short-tailed bats are thought to be extinct, while long-tailed bats and short-tailed bats are classed as threatened. They are in danger of extinction in the medium term if nothing is done to reverse their population declines. Therefore, these species are a high priority for conservation.
In proverb, the Maori refer to bats as pekapeka and associate them with the mythical, night-flying bird, hokioi, which foretells death or disaster.
Long-tailed bat are widely distributed throughout the mainland and on several offshore islands.
The endangered lesser short-tailed bat is an ancient species unique to New Zealand and is found only in a few locations.
Research has revealed that bats actively select the largest and oldest trees in the forest for roosting and breeding.
Bat (Peka Peka) Theatened Species Recovery Plan 15. (PDF, 367K
Threatened species classifications
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