Are there really no snakes in new zealand

A common myth! While it's true that New Zealand is often referred to as "snakes-free" or "snake-less," it's not entirely accurate. There are no native species of snakes in New Zealand, but that doesn't mean there are no snakes at all.

In the past, there were a few instances of non-native snakes being introduced to New Zealand, either intentionally or accidentally. For example:

1. In the 1800s, a few species of snakes, including the common garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis) and the European adder (Vipera berus), were introduced to New Zealand as pets or for scientific research. However, these introductions were not successful, and the snakes either died out or were eradicated.
2. In the 1950s and 1960s, a few species of non-native snakes, including the brown tree snake (Boiga irregularis) and the Pacific boa (Boa constrictor), were introduced to New Zealand as pets or for the pet trade. However, these introductions were also not successful, and the snakes either died out or were eradicated.

Today, there are no established populations of snakes in the wild in New Zealand. The country's isolation and strict biosecurity measures have helped to prevent the introduction and establishment of non-native snakes.

However, it's worth noting that there have been a few instances of non-native snakes being found in New Zealand in recent years. For example, in 2019, a brown tree snake was found in a Christchurch backyard, and in 2020, a Pacific boa was found in a Wellington pet store. In both cases, the snakes were removed and destroyed to prevent them from establishing a population.

So, while there are no native species of snakes in New Zealand, it's not entirely accurate to say that there are no snakes at all.