Maui's Native Species By Kenneth Rothman While you're on your
vacation to Maui, your attention will probably be drawn to many
of the species that live here, but do you know which are native
and which are introduced? If you're at all interested in the
island's fauna, read on for a quick orientation. The sea turtles
around Maui are usually the green variety, and only rarely
hawksbill or leatherback. Dolphins are usually spinners, but you
might also see spotted or bottlenose dolphins. The monk seal is
another marine animal you might see, although that is extremely
rare. They are one of only two native Hawaiian mammals. The
other is the Hawaiian hoary bat. Once upon a time, Maui had no
mice, rats, deer, wild boar, mongooses, or feral cats. Most
birds you will see are also introduced. There are doves,
finches, sparrows, cardinals and mynah birds, among others, but
all were introduced at one point or another in our history.
Maui's native bird species include a handful of gorgeous little
jewels called honeycreepers,