The animals of New Zealand, part of its biota, have an unusual history because, before the arrival of humans less than 900 years ago, the country was mostly free of mammals, except those that could swim there (seals, sea lions, and, off-shore, whales and dolphins) or fly there (bats). However, as recently as the Miocene, it was home to the terrestrial Saint Bathans mammal, implying that mammals had been present since the island had broken away from other landmasses.
The animals of New Zealand, part of its biota, have an unusual history because, before the arrival of humans less than 900 years ago, the country was mostly free of mammals, except those that could swim there (seals, sea lions, and, off-shore, whales and dolphins) or fly there (bats). However, as recently as the Miocene, it was home to the terrestrial Saint Bathans mammal, implying that mammals had been present since the island had broken away from other landmasses.
Source: Wikipedia "Fauna of New Zealand" · CC BY-SA 4.0
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