7 Interesting Animals In Maui You may not Know

Maui is one of the most isolated landmasses in the world, making it home to a diverse range of wildlife animals that is found nowhere else on Earth.

From the endangered Hawaiian monk seal to the playful humpback whale. Maui is a natural paradise for animals of all shapes and sizes.

In this article, we will explore the 7 most interesting animals in Maui.

We will learn about their unique features, their habitats, and the threats they face. We will also explore animals in Haleakala National Park and what we can do to help protect these amazing animals.

Let’s Discover the 7 most Interesting Animals in Maui.

Honu: The Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles

Hawaiian Name: Honu

Scientific Name: Chelonia mydas

Conservation Status: Endangered

Interesting Fact: Honu are herbivores and their diet is mainly consists of algae and seagrass.

Found: Throughout the major Hawaiian Islands in the Pacific Ocean, but most common in Hawaiian waters.

Honu are a Symbol of Aloha and Conservation. These Hawaiian green sea turtles are large that grow up to 4 feet long and weigh up to 400 pounds. Their shells are green, which is how they got their name.

Honu, the adult green sea turtle is important for the health of coral reefs, as they help to keep the algae in check.

Unfortunately, these turtles are facing a number of threats, including habitat loss, pollution, and overfishing. They are considered a species of conservation concern.

Kohola – Humpback Whales

Hawaiian Name: Kohola

Scientific Name: Megaptera novaeangliae

Conservation Status: Endangered

Interesting Fact: Humpback whales are one of the most interesting animals in Maui and the largest species of baleen whale.

Found: Throughout the world’s oceans, but most common in Hawaiian waters during winter months.

Kohola are large, majestic creatures that can grow up to 60 feet long and weigh up to 40 tons. They are known for their acrobatic behavior, such as breaching and lobtailing.

Humpback whales are also vocal creatures, and their songs can be heard for miles underwater. Sadly, humpback whales are facing a number of threats, including entanglement in fishing gear, ship strikes, and climate change.

As a result, they are considered a species of conservation concern.

Nai’a – Hawaiian Spinner Dolphins

Hawaiian Name: Nai’a

Scientific Name: Stenella longirostris

Conservation Status: Least Concern

Interesting Fact: Hawaiian spinner dolphins are one of the most interesting animals in maui because of their ability to leap out of the water and spin multiple times in the air.

Found: Throughout the Hawaiian Islands

Nai’a are small, playful dolphins that can grow up to 6 feet long and weigh up to 150 pounds. They are known for their acrobatic behavior, such as spinning and leaping out of the water.

Hawaiian spinner dolphins are also social creatures, and they often travel in large groups. Sadly, they are facing a number of threats cause of increased pollution, habitat loss, and overfishing.

‘Ilio Holo I Ka Uaua – Hawaiian Monk Seals

Hawaiian Name: Ilio Holo I Ka Uaua

Scientific Name: Neomonachus schauinslandi

Conservation Status: Critically Endangered

Interesting Fact: Hawaiian monk seals are the only seal species native to the United States.

Found: Northwestern Hawaiian Islands and the main Hawaiian Islands

Hawaiian monk seals are solitary animals that can grow up to 7 feet long and weigh up to 600 pounds. They are dark gray with white bellies, and they have a thick layer of blubber that helps them stay warm in the cold ocean.

Hawaiian monk seals are endangered due to a number of factors, including habitat loss, pollution, and entanglement in fishing gear. As a result, there are only about 1,400 Hawaiian monk seals remaining in the wild.

Nēnē – Hawaiian Goose

Hawaiian Name: Nēnē

Scientific Name: Branta sandvicensis

Conservation Status: Vulnerable

Interesting Fact: Nēnē are the only goose species endemic to the Hawaiian Islands.

Found: Throughout the Hawaiian Islands

Nēnē are medium-sized geese are one of the most interesting animals in maui that can grow up to 25 inches long and weigh up to 7 pounds. They have black heads, necks, and tails, with gray bodies and white rumps. These geese are known for their soft, mewing calls.

Nēnē were once common throughout the Hawaiian Islands, but they were hunted to near extinction by the early 20th century. However, thanks to conservation efforts, their numbers have regained and there are now about 3,800 nēnē in the wild.

Pu’eo – Hawaiian Short Eared Owl

Hawaiian Name: Pueo

Scientific Name: Asio flammeus sandwichensis

Conservation Status: Endangered

Interesting Fact: Pueo has one of the famous physical forms assumed by ʻaumākua (ancestor spirits) in Hawaiian culture.

Found: Throughout the Hawaiian Islands

Pueo are small owls that can grow up to 15 inches long and weigh up to 1 pound. They have brown and beige feathers with dark brown streaks, and their eyes are bright yellow. These owls are known for their sharp hearing and their ability to hover in the air.

Pueo is endemic to Hawaii, and they are considered a threatened species. Their main threats include habitat loss, introduced predators, and vehicle strikes.

Jackson Chameleon

Name: Jackson Chameleon

Scientific Name: Trioceros jacksonii

Conservation Status: Least Concern

Interesting Fact: Jackson Chameleons are known for their ability to change their color to match their surroundings.

Found: Eastern Africa

Jackson Chameleons are large chameleons that can grow up to 20 inches long. They are green or brown in color, but they can change their color to match their surroundings.

Jackson Chameleons are also known for their three horns, which are located on their head. They are native species found in the Eastern African countries of Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.

These chameleons live in forests and woodlands, and they are arboreal, meaning they spend most of their time in trees.

Jackson Chameleons are one of the most interesting animals in maui who are preyed upon by birds, snakes, and mammals. They protect themselves by changing their color, which can startle their predators. They also have a long, sticky tongue that they use to catch insects.

Jackson Chameleons are popular pets, but they require specialized care. They need a warm, humid environment and a diet of insects.

Most Dangerous Animals in Maui

The most dangerous animal in Maui is the box jellyfish. These jellyfish are found in shallow coastal waters around the island and have some of the most powerful venom in the world. Their stings can cause severe pain, nausea, vomiting, and even death.

Other dangerous animals in Maui include:

Sharks:

There are several species of sharks found in Maui waters, including tiger sharks, hammerhead sharks, and white sharks. With this, the shark attacks are rare and can be fatal.

Stingrays:

Stingrays are found in shallow coastal waters around Maui and can inflict painful stings with their barbed tails.

Portuguese man o’ war:

Portuguese man o’ war are not technically jellyfish, but they are related. They are found in coastal waters around Maui, and their stings can cause severe pain and nausea.

Centipedes:

Centipedes are found in the forests and mountains of Maui and can inflict painful stings.

Scorpions:

Scorpions are found in the forests and mountains of Maui, and they attack their prey through venomous sting.

Largest Animal in Maui

The largest animal on land in Maui is the Hawaiian monk seal. These seals can grow up to 10 feet long and weigh up to 600 pounds. They are found in the waters around Maui, but they will sometimes come onshore to rest or give birth.

Another largest animal in Maui is the humpback whale. These whales migrate to Maui every winter to mate and give birth. They can grow up to 50 feet long and weigh up to 40 tons.

These whales are the largest mammals on Earth and a popular tourist attraction in Maui.

Rarest Animal in Mai

The rarest animal in Maui is the Newcomb’s tree snail. These snails are only found in a small area of East Maui, and only an estimated 100-200 individuals are present in the wild.

Newcomb’s tree snails are threatened by habitat loss, introduced predators, and climate change.

Critically Endangered Species in Maui

Newcomb’s tree snail:

This snail is only found in a small area of East Maui, and only an estimated 100-200 individuals are left in the wild.

Newcomb’s tree snails are threatened by habitat loss, introduced predators, and climate change.

Maui parrotbill:

This bird is only found in Maui, and nearly 500 individuals are left in the wild.

Maui parrotbills are threatened by habitat loss, introduced predators, and competition from other birds.

Hawaiian hoary bat:

This bat is only found in Hawaii, and there are around 1,000 individuals remaining in the wild.

Hawaiian hoary bats are threatened by habitat loss, introduced predators, and disease.

Frequently Asked Questions

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