What Antipodean Animal is This? Quiz

Answer: kiwi

The kiwi is endemic to New Zealand and is the only bird to have nostrils at the end of its beak. It has a highly developed sense of smell.

Answer: kangaroo

The term "kangaroo" refers to the larger members of the Macropodidae family, of which there are 4 species found in Australia. There are another 50 or so smaller macropods found in Australia and New Guinea. Macropod means "large foot". Smaller macropods include rock wallabies, wallaroos, tree kangaroos and the rat kangaroo. Kangaroos are the only large animal to move by hopping, but cannot move backwards.

They are also good swimmers.

Answer: kea

The kea is one of the few alpine parrots. Rated as one of the most intelligent birds in the world, its intelligence and curiosity have helped it to survive in the harsh alpine environment. Their forward behaviour around people is sometimes seen as endearing and sometimes problematic. They are now a protected species, having once been hunted for a bounty.

Answer: Tasmanian devil

The Tasmanian devil is a protected species only occurring on Tasmania. After the extinction of the thylacine, it is the world's largest carnivorous marsupial. Unfortunately devil facial tumour disease is now making this protected animal vulnerable to extinction.

Answer: tuatara

Loss of habitat and the Polynesian rat resulted in the extinction of the tuatara on mainland New Zealand. Captive breeding programmes and eradication of rat populations on some offshore islands seemed to have helped.

Its low body temperature means a slow metabolism and relatively long life span - "Henry", a tuatara at Southland Museum in Invercargill, is reported to have became a father in 2009 at the age of 111 years.

Answer: Maui's dolphin

Found only on the west coast of New Zealand's North Island, there are less than 150 left and are at risk of extinction. Maui's dolphins are a sub-species of Hector's dolphins.

Answer: kookaburra

These terrestrial kingfishers are found in Australia and New Guinea. Sometimes known as the Laughing Jackasses of Australia, they are easily recognisable by their call which sounds like echoing human laughter. They are carnivores, eating lizards, snakes, small birds and mice. Fish does not form part of their diet despite being part of the kingfisher family.

Answer: possum

New Zealand's vegetation has evolved without any natural defences to such animals and great damage has been caused as a result. Possums compete with New Zealand's native birds for food as well as eating their eggs and chicks. They are estimated to eat 20,000 tonnes of New Zealand's vegetation every night! Unlike in New Zealand, possums are protected in Australia.

Answer: tui

Featuring two voice boxes, this bird produces a collection of sounds ranging from bell-like notes to clicks, creaks, wheezes and cackles. The white tuft under its throat is an identifying feature.

And the beer reference? Tui is a well-known (in New Zealand, anyway) beer brand name.

Answer: morepork

Another native bird with an onomatopoeic name, the Maori name of ruru also reflects its call. The southern boobook is the Australian version and is slightly larger. The laughing owl is a native New Zealand bird believed to be extinct. The little owl is was introduced to New Zealand in the 20th century.