Animals in Tokelau

Tokelau is a name that does not get circulated much. In fact, unless you are from Tokelau you may not even have heard of it. Tokelau is a chain of Atolls that is in the territory of New Zealand, although its is well over a 1000 miles away from this island neighbor. Tokelau is an island chain that comprises a total of 10 sq. km for all three of its islands. All three islands are Atolls which means that they were formed by a buildup of coral that eventually surfaced to form an area of land above the water level. With such a small environment, there are almost no animals at all. In fact there are more species of animals below the surface of the water surrounding the islands then there are above.
Pigs have been introduced to the islands as a food source for its 1700 residents. Migratory birds are known to frequent the island chain on their way to and from the migratory routes. In spite of its small size Tokelau has two animal species that are native to these islands. The first is a particular type of click beetle called by its Latin name Alaus Constrictus. It is also the home to a ostracod crustacean called Tungucypridopsis lairdi which is found only in the water off the shores of these islands.
The habitat of Tokelau is considered tropical since is lies only 8 degrees south of the equator in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.