New Guinea has both an estuarine or saltwater crocodile, as well as a freshwater one. In rivers, the two live together. There are 170 lizard species, and 100 species of skink. Of the roughly110 species of snakes, including sea snakes, tree snakes, and pythons, the most poisonous fang-fronted ones are also the rarest, such as death adders and taipans. All around the coasts and out on the beautiful coral reefs, New Guinea teems with marine life.
Divers here say there are more fish per cubic metre than any other place in the world.
Yet there are relatively few native freshwater species, and most edible ones like carp and tilapia, are introduced. It's the birdlife that most nature lovers come to see. It is with the cassowaries and the birds of paradise that people of New Guinea closely associate, in their daily and ceremonial life. These huge flightless birds are close relatives of the New Zealand kiwis, the ostriches of Africa, the rheas of South America, and the emus of Australia. They are also valuable components of brideprice and ceremonial exchanges.