Animals in Cook Islands

The Cook Islands are filled with exquisite beauty. Many people vacation there because of the beauty alone. Not only are the Cook Islands beautiful, but they are also home to a few different species of animals, which any avid animal enthusiast is sure to appreciate. This article discusses the animals native to Cook Islands and their habitats.

Native Species
There are different types of animals on the Cook Islands. Let's first start with those that are primarily native to the region. While in the Cook Islands, you can be sure that you will see most of your wildlife from Rarotonga, which is the most popular island in the entire chain. However, you should bear in mind that there are not many species of animals native to Cook Islands. Still, you can expect to see at least one of these types of animals when you travel there:
' Pacific Fruit Bats
' Pigs
' Rats
' Diverse bird species
' Dolphins and Whales

You may also see some occasional dogs, goats, and horses in the Cook Islands, but that is because they were brought over by settlers.

Unique Species
Then of course, is the unique species of animals found only on Rarotonga. This is the Kakerori, also known as the Rarotongan flycatcher. It is an interesting bird species that is very small. These birds' numbers were greatly lessened in the 1990s, but by the early 2000s, they started to make a comeback.

Habitats
The two most prevalent types of habitats are forest and marine, although there are a few ground creatures, such as pigs and rats. These animals do not necessarily exist within a specific habitat on the Cook Islands.

Although there are not many species of animals native to Cook Islands, there are a few. Even these scattered species are still marvelous. No matter where you want to go in the Cook Islands, you should definitely consider staying at Rarotonga for at least one night so you can experience the native animals that surround you.