The world is full of amazing physical features, and islands are among them! Because of their geographical isolation, evolution in islands takes a distinct cause, facilitating the emergence of different animals. As such, whether it’s the Galapagos tortoise from the Galapagos Islands or aye-ayes from Madagascar, some animals can only be found on one island.
The Komodo Dragon (Komodo Island, Indonesia)
Famous as the world’s largest lizard, the Komodo dragon can only be found in Indonesian islands, primarily Komodo Island. Capable of reaching up to 3 meters (10 feet) long and weighing over 150 kilograms (330 pounds), komodo dragons are popular because of their powerful bites and venomous saliva.
Given that they are only found in specific islands in Indonesia, the reptiles easily qualify as apex predators. They prey on deer, water buffalo, and some birds.
The Blue Iguana (Grand Cayman Island)
Reptiles don’t come any rarer than the blue iguana. Native to the Grand Cayman island, their striking blue skin makes blue iguanas more distinct than common green iguanas. Though only found on one island, blue iguanas prefer rocky, sunlight, and open areas in dry forests.
As of 2003, fewer than 15 blue iguanas remained in the wild. This forced the authorities and other well-wishers to captive-breed the animals, resulting in hundreds of them being released back into a preserve on the island. This helped them move from the critically endangered status they were once categorized in.
Fossa (Madagascar)
Fossa may not sound familiar because it is only found in Madagascar. The slender, long-tailed, cat-like mammal has always been compared to cougars and is one of the largest mammalian carnivores on the island.
Being one of Madagascar’s top predators, the fossa prey on birds, lemurs, and other small mammals. Unfortunately, activities such as hunting and habitat destruction threaten their future.
Aye-aye (Madagascar)
While you may know little about a fossa, you probably have heard about aye-ayes, the big-eyed nocturnal primates native to Madagascar, again. Besides their protruding eyes, aye-ayes have large ears, bushy tails, and long, skeletal middle fingers.
Kiwi (New Zealand)
The kiwi is one of the world’s most famous flightless birds, only found in New Zealand. It is characterized by its long beak with nostrils at the tip. This is a crucial adaptation, allowing the bird to sniff out insects and worms underground. At least four species of kiwis are known, the most famous being the brown and little spotted kiwis.
Although the kiwi is the national symbol of New Zealand, the bird’s existence is threatened due to introduced predators like stoats and cats that have drastically reduced their population.
The Pigmy Three-Toed Sloth (Isla Escudo de Veraguas)
Sometimes referred to as the monk or dwarf sloth, the pigmy three-toed sloth is endemic to Isla Escudo de Veraguas, a tiny island off the Caribbean coast of Panama. It is arboreal and mainly feeds on leaves like other extant sloths.
The pigmy three-toed sloth is critically endangered, majorly because it has a restricted range and constantly loses its habitat to other natural and human factors.
The Galapagos Tortoise (Galapagos Islands, Ecuador)
While you can find varying tortoise species from most regions in the world, the largest of them all, the Galapagos tortoise, can only be spotted in the Galapagos Islands, Indonesia. Scientists are convinced the species can live for over 100 years, with adults weighing over 900 pounds (408 kilograms).
More intriguingly, every island in the Galapagos hosts a slightly varying subspecies adapted to a specific environment. Thankfully, conservation programs have been critical in reviving the numbers of Galapagos tortoises as they were dwindling.
The Flightless Cormorant (Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
Again, the flightless cormorant is only found in Galapagos Island, Ecuador. It is the only cormorant that cannot fly, a trait that it has seemingly replaced with excellent swimming. The bird is characterized by its strong legs and webbed feet, which allow it to dive and catch prey easily.
Devil’s Hole Pupfish (Devil’s Hole, Nevada, USA)
As its name suggests, the Devils Hole pupfish is only found in Devils Hole, a geologic formation located in a detached unit of Death Valley National Park. Though technically not an island, the creature is confined to a single, water-filled cavern in the middle of a desert. First described as a species in 1930, the Devils Hole pupfish is now considered critically endangered.
The Javan Rhino (Java, Indonesia)
The Javan rhino is one of the rarest mammals on Earth; fewer than 80 individuals remain. Known for their elusive nature, these rhinos are native to Ujung Kulon National Park.
Other Animals That Can Only Be Found in One Place
Over time, some animals have adapted to very specific environments (endemic animals). Besides the ones already mentioned here, here is a list of animals that can only be found in one place on Earth:
- Texas blind salamander (Austin, Texas)
- Gelada monkey (Ethiopia)
- Brookesia micra (tip of Madagascar)
Conclusion
Various factors contribute to a specific species choosing to remain in a particular region. This may include weather, availability of preferred food, and inability to move from the said region (islands, for example). As such, some animals can only be found on one island. The most popular examples include Komodo dragons, blue iguanas, and flightless cormorants.
