Hawaii, the only tropical state of the United States, is home to hundreds of animals and birds – many endemic to the archipelago. Hawaii boasts a unique biogeography, which is the result of the archipelago being separate from the mainland. It has allowed wildlife in the region to develop and adapt on its own – for both land and marine flora and fauna.
The region’s wildlife has declined ever since humans began colonizing the islands. Currently, it has the highest number of threatened and endangered animals in the US. Several animals have gone extinct, but efforts are in place to save and revive the remaining wildlife in the state.
There are two national parks – Haleakalā National Park, and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, while many other areas are under the protection of the National Park Service.
List of Different Types of Animals Found in Hawaii
All the animals in the list are native to the Hawaiian archipelago unless otherwise mentioned.
No amphibian species are native to Hawaii, but a few introduced species of frogs and toads exist. Most of these have now become invasive and are a threat to the Hawaiian ecosystem.
Fishes
There are over 40 types of sharks, and numerous different fish species in Hawaii, though they are not all native to the state.
Hawaii has no predatory land animals, so the most dangerous animals you might encounter in the state’s forests may be feral pigs or insects like giant centipedes, fire ants, and spiders. There are no snakes, either. However, the waters of the state are full of sharks, jellyfish, and other potentially deadly marine animals like the cone snail, yellow-bellied sea snake, and sea urchins.
What are some of the rarest endangered animals in Hawaii?
As mentioned, Hawaii is home to plenty of rare and endangered animals with the Hawaiian hoary bat, Hawaiian monk seal, Nēnē, Hawksbill sea turtle, Hawaiian green sea turtles are listed ans threatened or endangered by the IUCN.
