bugman-nz's Identifications

2 juvenile and one (or more) adults foraging among grass on urban canal bank from 21.00 - 21.30pm. Adult entered water and swam when disturbed. Wondering if they were muskrats but due to size of adult (30-40 cm body, could maybe be nutria?

This introduced species preys on spiders in NZ, but is not known to do so in its native AU. In this case, preying on false katipo is no loss, but unfortunately on multiple occasions I have also found it preying on katipo, seashore wolf spiders, and other native spiders. #1 on my hit list, it got the squeeze, as always.

Not really sure if this is actually a moss but hoping somebody will know. As you'll see by the other photos, it grows like a carpet between other alpine plants in the exposed environment of the "Lookout" just off the road to Makahu Saddle Hut, Kaweka Forest Park.