Reunion Island

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Thursday 21 august 2008 23:30

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Reunion Island

Fauna: Reunion’s animal life

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There is nothing particularly African about Reunion Island’s animals life. The forests shelters many species of birds and a few mammals such as the tenrec, which looks like a hedgehog. Many species were introduced by the explorers and live today in semi liberty : hares, rabbits and Java deers. But the most common animal remains the dog. Sadly enough, many of them can be found abandoned and wandering in about the streets. As for the local reptiles, there is the famous chameleon. And of course, endless insects !

Terrestrial fauna

Tenrec Kind of hedgehog originally from Madagascar. Be careful as it has a vicious bite.	Java Deer There are several breeding farms in the areas of high altitude.	Wandering dogs There are many of them, but they are Rarely dangerous.
Chaméléon Also called « l’endormi » (« the one which is asleep »). Mainly found in botanical gardens.	House gecko From the gecko family, it wanders around the walls of local houses. Harmless, it feeds on mosquitoes and lets out a makes a little noise everytime it eats	Brown huntsman spider Black spiders that live in houses. Although not attractive, they are not dangerous.

Avian fauna

Réunion flightless ibis
This bird is extinct and has become Réunion’s symbol. It was a close relative of turkey cocks which couldn’t fly or run. As a result, it was exterminated by man.

Tropicbird
A protected species, the tropicbird nests on the cliffs. The female lays only one egg a year.

Réunion harrier
A endemic raptor, it stays in the forest near the calderas. There are about 400 of them.

Réunion cuckoo-strike
Legend has it that this endemic forest bird brings bad luck. It is endangered and only a few couples remain.

Barau's petrel
Réunion Island’s seagull. This bird surveys the harbours and is never far from the fishermen.

Common moorhen
It usually livesl in ponds, but can also sometimes be seen in the Indian Ocean.

Réunion stonechat
A curious and unfearful bird, it is never far from hiking trails and is always happy to receive a few crumbs from your picnic.

Weaver
Entirely yellow, this bird builds original round nests.

Cardinal, Common myna, common waxbill, pin-tailed whydah are other species of birds that can be found in Reunion Island.

Marine fauna

Sea turtle They are Bbecoming rare in Réunion Island. They can be seen towards the end of February at the Centre d’Etudes et de Decouvertes des Tortues à Saint Leu.	Octopus A popular dish in Réunion cuisine.	Coral Inside the lagoon, the coral has been destroyed; the victim of its own success. Collecting coral or crushing it with own’s one’s flippers or feet is strictly forbidden.
Some tropical fish...
Moorish idol	Emperor angelfish	Red-tipped grouper
Devil firefish	Box fish	Lion fish
Picasso triggerfish
Caution !
The shark There are 40 different species in Réunion Island. 10 of them are potentially dangerous, such as the bull shark and the great white shark. On average, there is one attack a year in Réunion Island.	Centipede It has very powerful and poisonous head-claws. Don’t panic, they are rarely to be seen.	The stonefish Lving In the lagoon, it is extremely well camouflaged. One would better wear One is better off wearing flippers or water shoes as since this fish can inject a highly toxic venom which causes intense pain.