This week’s critter is the pepe pōuri / black mountain ringlet butterfly to help celebrate International Mountain Day, which is next Wednesday.
This critter is a unique butterfly that spends its whole life in the mountains of Te Wai Pounamu, the South Island.
Life on high can be harsh and cold so the pepe pōuri has come up with clever ways to stay warm – it has a thick furry body, dark wings that act like solar panels, and lays its eggs on sun-warmed rocks.
Pepe pōuri / black mountain ringlet Photo: supplied
