By reason of its geographic isolation, in contrast with other Pacific Islands the land fauna of French Polynesia is limited to a few species. The list of animals on our islands is quick to establish…
Our fauna Only harmless ones!
There are a few reptile species such as crocodiles…
No, that’s a joke…be reassured there is not even the shadow of a big-toothed, long-tailed reptile under the sun of the Fenua, our land. The only reptiles you are likely to meet here are lizards and geckos. They may be the source of strange squeaks the like of which you have never heard elsewhere.
Birds are a different story. There are 112 species, many of them endemic to our islands. We will not try to catalogue them here – our only advice is to open your ears and eyes and appreciate them…
To continue…
On the other hand, we have more than 600 species of arthropods, amongst which are our good friends the mosquito as well as the “nono” (tiny voracious little midges that lay in the sand), cockroaches, beetles, centipedes and spiders. But, never fear, these little beasts have never been known to eat grown-ups!
The list of mammals is a short one: rats, pigs, goats, horses (principally in the Marquesas and the Australs) and
cattle (mainly on the peninsula of the island of Tahiti) share the land.
The marine life of Polynesia is much, much more prolific…
Our lakes and rivers are full of fish (eels and “nato”) and our famous prawns, a large fresh-water variety.
As many as 1,500 marine species swim in the lagoons and ocean of Polynesia, making us a top destination of choice for divers. Inoffensive sharks, moray eels, colorful lagoon fish, rays, turtles, sea snakes, mollusks and shellfish parade for the greatest pleasure of underwater enthusiasts. Say hello to trumpet fish, clown fish, napoleon wrasse, grouper and parrot fish…the list goes on and on and on.
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