Mauritius Fauna Variety

The island of Mauritius is home to a diverse range of fauna, including many species of birds. Mauritius is home to around 10 species of birds that are endemic to the island.

The pink pigeon is one of the most iconic bird species found in Mauritius, and it's considered to be one of the rarest birds in the world.

A unique perspective: Kangaroo Island Emu

Mauritius had no endemic terrestrial mammals before humans introduced various species, including the crab-eating macaque, rats, mice, and small Indian mongoose.

These introduced mammals have had a significant impact on the island's fauna, rapidly growing in numbers and competing with the local species for resources.

The only native mammal of Mauritius is the Mauritian flying fox, a species of fruit bat that plays a crucial role in pollination.

Two insectivorous microbats are also present on the island, the Mauritian tomb bat and the Natal free-tailed bat.

The government of Mauritius introduced a law in 2015 authorising the culling of around 18,000 Mauritian fruit bats, despite protests and the species' protected status.

Additional reading: Snake Island Brazil Snakes

By July 2018, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) had ranked the Mauritian fruit bat as an endangered species, following the previous years' government-sanctioned killings.

The cull was reinstated in October 2018, calling for the killing of all but 20% of the fruit bat population, leaving approximately 13,000 bats.

Mauritius is home to a diverse range of birds, with over 100 species recorded on the island.

The Mauritius grey white-eye is the commonest bird species on the island, found in both natural habitats and man-made environments.

Seven or eight endemic bird species exist on the main island, with the Mauritius kestrel, Mauritius parakeet, and pink pigeon being notable examples.

The Mauritius kestrel, once on the brink of extinction, is now increasing in numbers thanks to conservation efforts.

Rodrigues Island has two endemic bird species, the Rodrigues warbler and Rodrigues fody.

A number of exotic birds have been introduced to Mauritius, including the common myna, which is becoming a pest due to its habit of displacing smaller bird species from their habitat.

Take a look at this: Fauna and Flora of Mauritius

The common myna's primary food source is small indigenous lizards, which it preys upon due to their basking habits.

The Mauritius ornate day gecko, Bojer's skink, keel-scaled boa, and Mauritius lowland forest day gecko are just a few of the endemic reptiles found on the island.

The giant Madagascar day gecko, four-clawed gecko, spotted house gecko, common house gecko, and oriental garden lizard are examples of exotic reptiles that have been introduced to Mauritius.

Curious to learn more? Check out: Mauritius Flying Fox

Mauritius is home to over 100 species of birds, with seven or eight endemic species found on the main island.

The Mauritius grey white-eye is the most common of these endemic species, and can be found in man-made habitats across the island.

The Mauritius kestrel, Mauritius parakeet, and pink pigeon were all on the brink of extinction but are now increasing thanks to conservation efforts.

Seabird colonies are present on many of the smaller islands of Mauritius.

For another approach, see: Mauritius Dodo Facts

Some introduced bird species, like the common myna, have become pests due to their habit of displacing smaller bird species from their habitat.

The common myna was introduced to control locusts, but it now preys on small indigenous lizards, creating an imbalance in the ecosystem.

The Mauritius Olive White-Eye is the rarest and smallest songbird on the island, with fewer than 150 individuals in the wild.

This bird is characterized by its olive-green plumage and pale-yellow belly, and can be found in the upland forest of the Black River Gorges National Park and Ile aux Aigrettes.

The Mauritius Olive White-Eye is just 10cm in length, making it a small but striking bird to spot.

The distinctive white circle around their eyes and the curved shape of their bills make them easy to recognize.

The ornate day gecko is a lizard that inhabits the warmer regions of Mauritius, particularly Round island, Coin de Mire, and Ile aux Aigrettes.

This lizard is about 5 inches in length and has a striking greyish brown head, white neck, and bluish green or purely green body.

Mauritius is home to a diverse range of reptiles, including some species that are found nowhere else in the world.

The island's unique geography has led to the evolution of endemic reptiles such as the Mauritius ornate day gecko, Bojer's skink, and keel-scaled boa.

Reptiles like the giant Madagascar day gecko and the spotted house gecko have been introduced to the island, and can be found in various habitats.

Some species, like the panther chameleon and the Indian wolf snake, are highly sought after by reptile enthusiasts and collectors.

However, the island's reptile population has also been impacted by human activities, including the introduction of invasive species and habitat destruction.

The critically endangered hawksbill turtle and the endangered green turtle can be found in the waters surrounding the island, particularly in areas like St. Brandon and the Cargados Carajos shoals.

Mauritius is home to an incredible array of marine life, with numerous species of fish, whales, dolphins, and other creatures calling our waters home.

You can spot a variety of fish species in our waters, including holocentrids, mullet, rabbitfish, groupers, and many others. The marine fish of Mauritius include over 200 species, ranging from small damselfish to large marlin and sharks.

Some of the most common fish species to spot in our waters include butterflyfish, angelfish, and parrotfish. You can also see a variety of wrasses, including the beautiful Coris aygula and the vibrant Cheilinus trilobatus.

Mauritius is home to a diverse array of marine fish species. The island's waters are inhabited by over 200 species of fish, including the majestic blue marlin.

Some of the most common fish species found in Mauritius include groupers, such as the Epinephelus fasciatus and Epinephelus hexagonatus, which are prized for their flavorful flesh. The waters are also home to a variety of butterflyfish, including the Chaetodon trifasciatus and Chaetodon kleinii, which are known for their vibrant colors.

The coral reefs surrounding Mauritius are a haven for snappers, including the Etelis carbunculus and Etelis coruscans, which are popular among local fishermen. The island's waters are also home to a variety of pufferfish, including the Arothron nigropunctatus and Arothron hispidus, which are known for their unique ability to inflate their bodies.

Here's a list of some of the most common fish species found in Mauritius:

The variety of fish species in Mauritius is a testament to the island's unique marine ecosystem.

Whales can be spotted in the ocean around Mauritius from February to November, with sperm whales growing up to 20 metres long.

Sperm whales are gentle giants and can be seen in the waters surrounding Mauritius year-round.

Humpback whales pass by Mauritius during their winter migration from June to September.

Dolphin pods can regularly be spotted off the west coast of Mauritius, with both bottlenose and spinner dolphins often travelling in pods of 20 dolphins.

Sometimes we are lucky enough to spot over 100 dolphins sliding through the water to the deeper ocean off Le Morne peninsula.

Mauritius is home to a diverse range of insects and crustaceans. About 39 butterfly species are known from the island, with seven of these species being endemic.

These butterflies are just one example of the unique fauna found in Mauritius.

Butterflies are pretty fascinating creatures, and Mauritius is home to a surprising number of them.

About 39 butterfly species are known from Mauritius and Rodrigues, and that's a lot of different types of butterflies.

Seven of these butterfly species are endemic, which means they can't be found anywhere else in the world.

The Salazar Telfair's Skink is found on the offshore islands of Mauritius, with a population that's risen to about 50,000 due to conservation efforts.

In fact, the skink's population was once restricted to just 5,000 individuals on Round Island in the late 1980s.

The terrestrial crab, on the other hand, has a stable population on mainland Mauritius and several other offshore islets.

Its ability to survive in both terrestrial and marine environments is key to its stability, making it a hardy and adaptable creature.

The Salazar Telfair's Skink and terrestrial crab are just two examples of the unique wildlife that can be found in Mauritius.

Conservation efforts in Mauritius are led by the Forestry Service, National Parks and Conservation Service (NPCS), and non-governmental organizations like the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation (MWF), the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust (DWCT), and the Saint Brandon Conservation Trust.

The goal is to preserve native flora and fauna, which has included captive breeding, habitat restoration, and the eradication of introduced species. This work involves three national parks, nature reserves, other protected areas, and botanical gardens for education and public outreach.

Black River Gorges National Park covers 65.74 km of land, and another 45 km is protected by nature reserves like Round Island and Île aux Aigrettes.

The Ebony forest, a critical habitat, is currently under restoration, with 25 hectares already restored. This effort aims to protect and increase the numbers of the island's unique and endemic invertebrates, birds, reptiles, and bats.

Goodnature traps have been installed to eradicate exotic species like rats, shrews, tenrecs, and mongoose that prey on native flora and fauna.

For your interest: Flora Y Fauna De Colombia

Mauritius is home to some truly unique species. The echo parakeet is one such bird, known for its bright green feathers that are slightly darker in colour than the Indian ring-necked parakeet.

You can spot these birds in the wild at the Black River Gorges National Park, the Ebony Forest, or the Bambou Mountains. More than 800 echo parakeets inhabit these areas, thanks to a successful parrot recovery programme.

The Echo Parakeet is a long-tailed, bright green bird, darker in colour than the Indian ring-necked parakeet.

To spot one, head to the Black River Gorges National Park, Ebony Forest, or the Bambou Mountains - these are the best places to catch a glimpse of their iconic green feathers.

There are more than 800 Echo Parakeets in Mauritius, thanks to a successful parrot recovery programme.

The Salazar Telfair's Skink is a unique and fascinating creature. It's found on the offshore islands of Mauritius.

These skinks have a light greyish-brown to light brown and bronze color with a bluish-green sheen. It's a distinctive appearance that sets them apart from other skinks.

In the late 1980s, there were only about 5,000 Salazar Telfair's Skinks on Round Island. Conservation efforts introduced the skink to other islands, and the population has since risen to about 50,000.

The Mauritius kestrel, once the world's rarest bird, is now the National Bird of the Republic of Mauritius. This conservation success story is a testament to the efforts of Durrell and his partners.

You can spot the Mauritius kestrel in the Black River Gorges National Park, the surrounding areas, and the Bambou Mountains, including Ferney Valley.

Mauritius is home to a variety of nature reserves, including the Ile aux Aigrettes Nature Reserve and the Ile Ronde (Round Island) Nature Reserve.

Some of the notable nature reserves in Mauritius include:

If you're a nature lover, you'll be thrilled to explore Mauritius's wildlife, including seabirds, dolphins, and whales.