3.) Snakes
By now more than 200 species of snakes are known to exist in New Guinea which live in the mountain regions of up 3000 m high. Many thereof are venomous. Special mention is to be given to three types: The taipan (oxyuranus scutellatus) which reaches a total length of 3 metres. It has a nerve venom which is said to be the strongest of all known venoms; the taipan is active during the day. The death adders (achanthopsis antarcticus). This adder only reaches a length of ca 80 cm and exists widely in the region. It has a broad shaped head and a short tail and can easily be taken as a viper. In ca 50% the bites are fatal. The Papua king brown snake (pseudechis papuanus) should also be taken seriously. It grows to a length of ca 2.50 m. The most beautiful and non-venomous snakes are the green tree python (chondropthon viridis) and the emerald green python. In their idle position they evenly spread the body over two branches and rest the head in the middle. Likewise, the dog head boa rests in this position.
4.) Crocodiles
There are two different types of crocodiles in New Guinea. The New Guinea Crocodile and the Salt Water Crocodile. The first kind grows rarely longer than 4 m and predominantly lives on fish. The Salt Water Croc however can grow to up to 10 m and exists in salt and fresh water. It will easily feed on humans.
5.) Lizards
They belong to the family of "Varandidae" and there are more than 50 of its
kind. They all live in the tropics and mainly vary in size. The lizards are
fierce, ruthless robbers and feed on all animals they can get to.
More informations you will found at the Lizards
page.
6.) Butterflies |
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7.) Insects
Many thousand species are known in New Guinea whereas this only represents one third of all documented types. For example the interesting 25 cm long locusts or the praying mantis which exists in many different colours. In the course of evolution the grasshoppers have totally adapted to their environment. Many insects are entirely camouflaged by their surroundings and therefore less in danger to be eaten by enemies.
8.) Fish
| More than 1000 fish species are named in New Guinea. It is estimated that up to 3000 undocumented species live in the unique and still unspoiled coral reeves of New Guinea. Alone 20 types of sharks are at home there. The fresh water rivers host 158 kinds of rainbow fish. These tiny, very colourful fish are only known to exist in New Guinea and Australia. Also big fish occupy the fresh water ways of New Guinea. One example is the sawfish, which grows up to 5 m in length. It is known that the extremely rare fresh water sharks are found in the Yamur Lake in the Bird Eye Mountains. |   |
9.) Spiders
It is estimated that there are now about 3000 classified spiders. These are divided in two types. One kind traps their catch in the spider web and the other kind are predominantly jump spiders. They do not build webs. They hunt during the day. They tend to stay in hiding and then jump at their prey when not expected. This is where the name originates. Their catch it is quickly poisoned. The other variety are the Sparasides, which tend to spend their days lazing in trees and branches. They adapt to their environment and only start hunting for food after dusk. Another kind of spider builds nets or wheels, in particular the wheel spider (Nephila maculata) which is capable of creating wheels with a diameter of 1 m. The threat can be up to 6 m long. The Cyrtophora spiders build webs together with other spiders and in their concerted effort they can achieve to cover big areas made of hundreds of wheels. Taller insects and even birds are being shared amongst each other.
