page_title: Waitoreke
section_title: Description
hierarchical_section_title: Waitoreke / Description
caption_attribution_description: English: Common Brushtail Possum, Daniel Andrews, Sydney, Australia Bookhouse www.bookhouse.com.au
context_page_description: In New Zealand folklore, the waitoreke is an otter/beaver-like creature. It is usually described as a small otter-like animal that lives in the South Island of New Zealand. There are many theories on the waitoreke's true identity, such as it being an otter, beaver or pinniped.
context_section_description: The waitoreke is usually described as a small otter-like creature sometimes as big as a cat. It is described as having brownish fur and short legs. The sightings usually place the creature near or in the water on the South Island of New Zealand. Its fur is described as being short like that of an otter.
  Very little physical evidence proving the existence of the waitoreke exists. Julius von Haast is reported to have obtained a waitoreke pelt in 1868. The fur was brown, with white spots, and the toes lacked webbing. This is inconclusive evidence; the pelt seems to have resembled a quoll's. The common brushtail possum was successfully introduced in 1858 and is now a widespread pest, whereas introduction of the common ringtail possum ultimately failed. Both animals are unspotted.
caption: The common brushtail possum - like the smaller thin-tailed common ringtail possum - lives in trees.
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