The Wildlife of Mauritius By Claire Bryant At Isnare.com Ezine Articles

Mauritius is a beautiful island boasting rare and interesting wildlife. From the colourful fish inhabiting the coral reefs to the giant turtles roaming the land, to the beautiful birds that command the air, nature lovers will be in awe on a Mauritius holiday.

Animals on the Island

Being an island, the majority of wildlife resident in Mauritius (with the exception of mammals) are endemic, and you can expect to see a range of interesting animals on your holidays in Mauritius. If you find bats interesting, you will be pleased to learn that fruit bats are the only mammals endemic to the island. Unlike other smaller bats, fruit bats have an enormous wing span (nearly a metre), and to make their appearance even more regal, they have a golden orange colour around their head and shoulders, like a halo or a crown. You won’t be likely to spot one of the amazing creatures during the day on your Mauritius holiday because they nest in the gorges and on the mountainside, but you could spot them flying past you at night.

Other mammals you may spot whilst on your Mauritius holiday are Javan deer, forest monkeys and feral pigs. While these mammals may not be endemic to the island, they are interesting to see nonetheless.

One of the oldest creatures to inhabit the island is the giant tortoise, having lived on the island in for over a hundred years; these creatures should be respected and revered when on your Mauritius holiday. The tortoises really are giant, with a length of up to a metre and weight up to 250kg. Other reptiles you could spot on holidays in Mauritius are the day-gecko, and skinks, which may be smaller, but are colourful and interesting to look at.

In the Waters

In the Indian Ocean waters which surround the island, a whole host of colourful creatures may be found. Tuna, marlin, barracuda, shark and sailfish swim this region of the ocean, fished by the locals and used to create delicious fresh seafood dishes which you can enjoy at your Mauritius hotel. The coral reef surrounding the island is also home to an array of sponges, sea anemones and spikey, making diving an excellent activity on any Mauritius holiday. As you dive into the warm waters, you will be amazed at the colourful clown and box fish, trumpet, lionfish and stonefish that swim by.

It is important to remember that the coral reef is protected by the Mauritius Marine Conservation Society, and collecting shells and coral on your holiday in Mauritius may seem appealing, but it is depleting the natural environment, and the activity has been banned from the beaches.

Birds of the Air

Whilst birdlife in Mauritius is the object of conservationists, the Mauritius kestrel, pink pigeon and emerald-green echo parakeet have happily been saved from extinction, and you could be lucky enough to spot these colourful birds on your Mauritius holiday. Other interesting and more commonly-sighted birds include fly-catchers, bulbuls and white-eyes, and you’re likely to spot these feathered creatures on holiday in Mauritius.

Island Vegetation

For nature lovers, Mauritius holidays could prove to be inspirational, with some fascinating vegetation to be discovered. One of the most beautiful and rarest plants in the world is the Mandrinette, which is a pretty pink or colour. You can walk through the Black River Gorges National Park, where tropical plants and excellent views await you.

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