The takahē's ecological niche — Science Learning Hub | 台北市立動物園資訊網

2019年2月11日—Takahēmostlyeatplants,andtheyhaveaveryfibrousdiet.Theycanproduce7–​9metresofpooeachday.Arowoftakahēdroppingsiscalled ...

Takahē (Porphyrio hochstetteri) once lived throughout the South Island. Their original habitats were the bushy edges of lowland swamps and rivers. Today’s remnant takahē population lives in the harsh environment of the Murchison Mountains in Fiordland. This wild, alpine habitat is less than ideal, but scientists believe that takahē survived there because of its remote location. The rugged area was relatively isolated from the main threats to takahē[1]: humans, deer and introduced predators.

The surviving population has likely been in the Murchison Mountains long enough to adapt to the mountainous conditions. The Department of Conservation notes that takahē are well suited to cold, damp environments.

An ecological niche is the role and position a species has in its environment and how the environment supports the species’ needs.

In their natura...