ABSTRACT
Animal life in this tropical environment is one of extremes. Indigenous land animals are few. Mc.inly nocturnal, they include the opossum (cuscus), several varieties of phalanger (Australian marsupial) and bat, as well as bush rats and mice. Dogs and pigs, the latter a major source of meat, were introduced centuries ago, as were the Polynesian rat and roof rat (Rattus exulans and R. rattus, respectively). Horses, cows, cats, and chickens are recent introductions. Crocodiles occur on the larger islands and in the coastal waters; turtles, lizards, and snakes are common, but most snakes are non-poisonous and seldom reach significant size. Insects flourish and include magnificent butterflies and moths.
