Tahiti Animals

Bigger animals

The larger animals were only introduced here by the people. They are:
pigs, chickens, geese and dogs as well as goats, cows and horses. But also rats and mice.

Insects, poisonous animals

The local sand fleas that – as their name suggests – are found on the sandy beach are very unpleasant. There are also quite a few mosquitoes and other mosquitoes in Tahiti. Ants, flies, bees and wasps also live here.

However, there are no poisonous snakes or other poisonous animals such as scorpions etc. on Tahiti. Ä. before.
However, in the water you have to watch out for injuries to the sharp corals and the poisonous or very unpleasant sting of the stone fish.

The stonefish is mostly on the bottom and “contact” with it usually comes about by stepping on it. Therefore, wearing sturdy bathing shoes is highly recommended.

Underwater world

The underwater fauna is particularly rich in species. Parrot fish, coral fish, trumpet fish, trigger fish, moray eels and groupers as well as octopuses and various types of crustacean live here. While diving, you can also see sea turtles, wahoos, masi-masis and sea cucumbers. Wahoos are very large and fast mackerel, they reach speeds of over 70 km/h. They are also known by the names Pacific Kingfish and Ocean Barracuda. They are common in all warm seas.

The dolphin fish, also known as golden mackerel and up to 1.85 m long and weighing 30 kg, can also be found here.
Beware of the sharks that live in the area, including the dreaded great white sharks. Those who like to watch whales will get their money’s worth here.

Birds

Among the local birds, the approximately 15 cm tall and almost completely black Tahitian monarch (Muscicapa nigra) – which only occurs in Tahiti, i.e. is endemic, as well as the purple caps, which are also used as fruit pigeons, are particularly noteworthy. The birds are a subfamily in the pigeon family (Columbidae).

The 40 cm tall Tahitian petrel (Pseudobulweria rostrata) is also native here. The birds have a dark brown head and neck, but a white belly and white lower chest. The upper side of the body, on the other hand, is a solid dark brown.

Tahiti: plants

Plants

The most important plants and trees found in Tahiti:

Coconut palms, breadfruit trees, which were the reason for the Bounty’s expedition, filaos, banana trees, kapok trees, banyan trees, ylang-ylangs, Pacific chestnuts, flame trees, tulip trees, Caribbean pines. In addition, the wonderfully blooming shrubs: tiaras – the symbol of Tahiti – hibiscuses, frangipanis (wax flowers), gardenias, gold trumpets. Not to mention the jasmine and oleander bushes. Also worth mentioning are:

• large fern forests
• Vanilla trees
• Banana trees
• Melons

Tahiti: climate

Due to the constant southeast trade wind, which brings humid and warm air to the islands, it rains particularly heavily on the windward side of the island, i.e. the side facing the wind. This is especially true for the rainy season, between December and February. in the rainiest months of December and January the average rainfall is around 300 mm – in the months with the least rain in July and August around 50 mm.

Otherwise, Tahiti has a mild South Pacific climate. However, between November and March, tropical cyclones, i.e. typhoons, which are referred to as hurricanes in the USA, can be expected. In summer (November-March) temperatures are between 22 °C and 32 °C. In winter (April-October) temperatures are between 20 °C and 25 °C.