Wildlife of the Comoros

Seychelles fruit bat

The wildlife of the Comoro Islands is composed of their flora and fauna.

Overview

The rich volcanic soils on the islands foster the growth of a profuse vegetation. Beyond the coastal zones, where mangroves predominate, there are coconut palms, mangoes, and bananas, and above them is a forest zone, with many varieties of tropical hardwoods. Broom, lichens, and heather grow on the highest peaks. The animal life is similar to that found on Madagascar. Comorian waters harbor the coelacanth, a rare primitive fish once thought to have been extinct for 70 million years. Fossil remains of the coelacanth dating back 400 million years have been found.

Fauna

Mammals

Main article: List of mammals of the Comoros

The mammalian diversity of the Comoros, like most other young volcanic islands, is restricted to marine mammals and bats.

Birds

Main article: List of birds of the Comoros

Flora

The country is home to 72 species of orchids.

References

• Lepage, Denis. "Checklist of birds of the Comoros". Bird Checklists of the World. Avibase. Retrieved 27 April 2007.
• Clements, James F. (2000). Birds of the World: a Checklist. Cornell University Press. p. 880. ISBN 0-934797-16-1.