Story: Bats

Distribution of New Zealand’s bats

Distribution of New Zealand’s bats

Once found throughout forested areas of New Zealand, both species of bat became severely restricted in range during the 20th century as forests were felled, and bat colonies were attacked by introduced predators (rats, stoats, cats). The short-tailed species is threatened with extinction, and survives only in small isolated stands of old native forest.

Using this item

Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand

This item has been provided for private study purposes (such as school projects, family and local history research) and any published reproduction (print or electronic) may infringe copyright law. It is the responsibility of the user of any material to obtain clearance from the copyright holder.

Sources: B. D. Lloyd, ‘Advances in New Zealand mammalogy, 1990–2000: short-tailed bats.’ Journal of The Royal Society of New Zealand 31, no. 1 (March 2001): 59–81; and C. F. J. O'Donnell, ‘Advances in New Zealand mammalogy, 1990–2000: long-tailed bat.’ Journal of The Royal Society of New Zealand 31, no.1 (March 2001): 43–57

All images & media in this story

How to cite this page:

Veronika Meduna, 'Bats - Habitat, distribution and conservation', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/map/9761/distribution-of-new-zealands-bats (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Veronika Meduna, published 24 Sep 2007