Glow worms in New Zealand

                      YES! Glow worms are in New Zealand! 
I was so jacked to check these little guys out.Since we finally got a car after landing on the south island, this would be the first excursion out of Dunedin.

Habitat

Glow-worms need damp places, where the air is humid and still, to construct their snares. Caves and old mining tunnels are ideal. In the forest glow-worm snares are commonest on moist banks beside a stream or in a ravine.

Light display

The glow-worm’s tail-light shines from an organ which is the equivalent of a human kidney. All insects have this organ but the glow-worm has a unique ability to produce a blue-green light from it.

The chemical reaction that produces the light consumes a lot of oxygen. An airbag surrounds the light organ, providing it with oxygen and acting as a silvery reflector to concentrate the light.

"We are all worms, but I do believe I am a glow worm." 
--Winston Churchill

Super thick forests here - very lush and green! We loved the hike up the the worms and waterfall.
   
I love the little differences.... 

• The "Trails" are called "Tracks" 

• All the hikes give the "estimated time" for the walk instead of the length of the trail.
• "Flashlights" are called "Torches"