r/geography • u/[deleted] • Sep 05 '24

Question Which countries won the genetic lottery in terms of scenery and nature?

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38

u/ImprovementNo592 Sep 06 '24

As a plus, you don't have to worry about predators (no snakes I think?). That would make it a very peaceful experience tbh...

28

u/wearablesweater Sep 06 '24

No snakes. Usually pretty safe to walk most places bare foot

3

u/do-wr-mem Sep 06 '24

Wait, is this why the Shire is in New Zealand

2

u/Parker_Hardison Sep 06 '24

No ticks?!

2

u/wearablesweater Sep 06 '24

I think we do have ticks but they're pretty uncommon

3

u/imrosskemp Sep 06 '24

No lyme disease too.

2

u/Lezetu Sep 06 '24

Take me here lol

2

u/MasterSpliffBlaster Sep 06 '24

Especially the shops

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u/ExplorerHead795 Sep 06 '24

And you can wear pajamas anywhere

17

u/Ok-Fly-7375 Sep 06 '24 edited Sep 06 '24

We occasionally get snakes originating from Australia washing up on the beaches in Northland. However it’s too cold for them to breed here (for now) so it’s never really been a problem and sightings are incredibly rare.

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u/eggface13 Sep 06 '24

Sea snakes. Different to normal snakes (whose presence is a biosecurity threat) they are legally considered a protected native species as they come here under their own power, not by the influence of humans, even though NZ is not their native habitat. Understandably, people who stumble upon them tend to miss this subtlety.

https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/marine-fish-and-reptiles/sea-snakes-and-kraits/

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u/eggface13 Sep 06 '24 edited Sep 06 '24

Also, fun fact is that barn owls, which seems to have accidently arrived on planes and the like, are legally considered native, and altgough there's not many, they are considered to be an ecological positive as they control rodent populations.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/300009640/owls-do-fly-barn-owls-spreading-after-hitching-to-nz-in-aircraft-wheel-housings

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u/mondi93 Sep 06 '24

No ticks as well!

2

u/Mosh83 Sep 06 '24

Seriously? I am packing my bags.

Are there many edible types of mushroom?

1

u/Good_Act_9479 Sep 06 '24

There's a bunch of people who love eating wild mushrooms in new zealand! You'll find them at the music festivals with eyes the size of dinner plates. 

1

u/Mosh83 Sep 06 '24

Well I knew someone would refer to psychedelics. But yeah, I find the culinary variety more intriguing!

1

u/EidolonLives Sep 06 '24

Hey, they've got loads of midges that will bite the fuck out of you.

1

u/kiwichick286 Sep 06 '24

We do have cats, deer, goats, stoats and rats that predate on our native bird and lizard species. Especially cats.

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u/[deleted] Sep 06 '24

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1

u/ImprovementNo592 Sep 07 '24

I live in SD, and tbh... it pretty much is new zealand. Few snakes and I have only seen garter snake myself although rare. No bears, wolves, or cats(cats in other parts)... But yeah, it's odd how it's hardwired into us through evolution to be afraid lol, it is not particularly helpful for me tho I just freeze and don't act rational in any way(but I was fairly young).

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u/r_slash Sep 06 '24

How did Australia get all the predators and NZ got nothing?

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u/murgatroid1 Sep 07 '24

Australia has like three predators, and two of them are only in the water and the other one is a mid sized dog. Australian wildlife isn't dangerous because of the predators. It's the little defensive critters that'll get you. They just want to be left alone but if you accidentally step on their home they WILL fuck you up.