Animals in the Hawaiian Islands

According to CountryReports.org, there are 8,800 animal species found exclusively in Hawaii. Not all of them are native to Hawaii, however, and were introduced by settlers and merchant sailors. The majority of Hawaiian animals are considered to be endangered.

History

Hawaii only has two true native mammals--the Hawaiian monk seal and the Hawaiian hoary bat. Both are endangered.

Significance

Hawaiian animals tend to be isolated due to the nature of island living. This means that they do not tend to develop defense mechanisms against new predators.

State Bird

The Hawaiian state bird is the nene (Hawaiian goose), and less than 900 are left. They have been partially destroyed by non-native predators like the mongoose, pigs and cats.

Types

The ocean waters around Hawaii are home to humpback whales, Hawaiian green sea turtles and dolphins, just to name a few. There are also around 700 types of fish in Hawaiian waters.

Fun Fact

Hawaii has no indigenous snakes.

Theories/Speculation

Zoologists suspect that a small group of rock wallabies in the Kalihi Valley may be an extinct subspecies in Australia, their original home.

References

• Hawaii Flora and Fauna
• Hawaii Fauna
• Hawaiian Fun Facts: Animals