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Amazing Weta of Aotearoa
What are weta?
Weta are native insects to New Zealand/Aotearoa. Weta are
invertebrates and they have an exoskeleton. An invertebrate
is an animal that has its skeleton on the outside which is called
an exoskeleton. Giant Weta are the heaviest insects in the world
and they weigh up to 2.5 ounces but other Weta in New
Zealand/Aotearoa don’t. Weta look similar to crickets. They have
six/ono legs. They have two antennae. They don’t have a spine.
They have ears just below the front joint of their knees. They
have an abdomen and thorax.
invertebrates and they have an exoskeleton. An invertebrate
is an animal that has its skeleton on the outside which is called
an exoskeleton. Giant Weta are the heaviest insects in the world
and they weigh up to 2.5 ounces but other Weta in New
Zealand/Aotearoa don’t. Weta look similar to crickets. They have
six/ono legs. They have two antennae. They don’t have a spine.
They have ears just below the front joint of their knees. They
have an abdomen and thorax.
Even though weta are not pretty they are still important native
insects to New Zealand.
insects to New Zealand.
Where do weta live?
There are 5 main groups of weta. Weta live in many different
places.
places.
Tusked weta live in the ground and in burrows, under stones
and big rocks. Cave/ana Weta live in sea coast caves. Giant
Weta live on an island sanctuaries. You would mostly see giant
Weta out in the open. Ground Weta live in the ground. Ground
Weta climb up trees to get some of their food/kia. These are all
the places where you can find Weta living.
and big rocks. Cave/ana Weta live in sea coast caves. Giant
Weta live on an island sanctuaries. You would mostly see giant
Weta out in the open. Ground Weta live in the ground. Ground
Weta climb up trees to get some of their food/kia. These are all
the places where you can find Weta living.
What do weta eat?
Weta eat lots of different types of food.
Most Weta are omnivores. An omnivore is an animal that eats
both plants and meat. Some Weta are Herbivores. Herbivores
only eat leaves. Weta eat seed-heads, leaves, lichen, flowers,
fruit/Whurutu and vegetables like carrots. Weta also like to eat
worms snails and little insects like ants. Some weta hide during
the day time and come out at night to hunt for their food. These
are foods that omnivores eat as well as Herbivores and other
Weta.
both plants and meat. Some Weta are Herbivores. Herbivores
only eat leaves. Weta eat seed-heads, leaves, lichen, flowers,
fruit/Whurutu and vegetables like carrots. Weta also like to eat
worms snails and little insects like ants. Some weta hide during
the day time and come out at night to hunt for their food. These
are foods that omnivores eat as well as Herbivores and other
Weta.
Where do weta breed?
Female Weta breed in Autumn/Ngahuru.
Female Weta lay their eggs at night. Female weta lay their
eggs in the soil. Female Weta mate in summer/Raumati and
spring. Female Weta lay 6-10 eggs at a time. The eggs stay
in the ground for a whole year. The males fight each other for a
mate. As baby Weta grow they need to shed their skin.
eggs in the soil. Female Weta mate in summer/Raumati and
spring. Female Weta lay 6-10 eggs at a time. The eggs stay
in the ground for a whole year. The males fight each other for a
mate. As baby Weta grow they need to shed their skin.
Are Weta social?
Weta are mostly not social.
Tree weta live in groups but all of the other Weta don’t live in
groups, they many live by themselves. Some Weta use their
legs to make a chirping sound to talk to other Weta.
groups, they many live by themselves. Some Weta use their
legs to make a chirping sound to talk to other Weta.
Threats to Weta?
There are many different threats for Weta. ‘
Before humans came the only threats to Weta were
tuatara and birds, until humans brought animals like - rats,
ferrets and cats, birds/koe, hedgehogs and mustelids. Mustelids
are stoats. Humans also came and destroyed most of their
habitats. We can look after weta by making sure they have
habitats to live in and predator free areas where they are safe.
tuatara and birds, until humans brought animals like - rats,
ferrets and cats, birds/koe, hedgehogs and mustelids. Mustelids
are stoats. Humans also came and destroyed most of their
habitats. We can look after weta by making sure they have
habitats to live in and predator free areas where they are safe.
By Mylah!
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