The weta is a large native invertebrate. It is probably the only spectacular “creepy crawly” New Zealand can call its own as we have no snakes or other nasties. These guys do deliver a painful bite but that is the worst of it. There are four species of weta. The bush weta grows to about 50 mm.
The cave weta is smaller, growing to 35 mm and is well adapted to living in its cave environment with long legs and a small body. The largest weta, known as the giant weta, grows to 100 mm in length. It is now confined to offshore islands. An alpine weta also exists. It is known as the “Mt Cook flea”. It lives in rock crevices at high altitude above the snowline.