Hawaiian Monk Seals
You may be fortunate to see one of the beautiful monk seals while on Oahu. They are often seen sleeping on the beach across from the Hauula Fire Department on the Kamayamaya Highway.
· The seals are actually on the endangered list.
· The seals live on the sandy beaches and coastal waters around the Hawaiian Islands.
· They enjoy feeding on squid, octopus, prawn, and eel.
· The Hawaiian monk seal is one of the rarest marine mammals in the world
· The Hawaiian monk seal is listed as "endangered"
· The Marine Mammal Protection Act prohibits the "take" of marine mammals. "Take" includes actions such as hunting, harassing, killing, capturing, injuring and disturbing a marine mammal.
Protect the Hawaiian monk seal, let sleeping seals lie
· If you are fortunate enough to see a seal on the beach or in the water in Hawaii, remember to watch from a distance ... for your safety and their protection.
Report your seal sighting
Have you seen a Hawaiian monk seal on the beach or in the ocean? NOAA Fisheries Service is interested in all seal sightings as they help us gain valuable information about seal survival, habitat use and reproduction.
To report monk seal sightings:
Oahu: 220-7802
More information at http://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/pr/species/mammals/seals/hawaiian-monk-seal.html and http://www.fpir.noaa.gov/PRD/prd_hms_index.html
· The seals are actually on the endangered list.
· The seals live on the sandy beaches and coastal waters around the Hawaiian Islands.
· They enjoy feeding on squid, octopus, prawn, and eel.
· The Hawaiian monk seal is one of the rarest marine mammals in the world
· The Hawaiian monk seal is listed as "endangered"
· The Marine Mammal Protection Act prohibits the "take" of marine mammals. "Take" includes actions such as hunting, harassing, killing, capturing, injuring and disturbing a marine mammal.
Protect the Hawaiian monk seal, let sleeping seals lie
· If you are fortunate enough to see a seal on the beach or in the water in Hawaii, remember to watch from a distance ... for your safety and their protection.
Report your seal sighting
Have you seen a Hawaiian monk seal on the beach or in the ocean? NOAA Fisheries Service is interested in all seal sightings as they help us gain valuable information about seal survival, habitat use and reproduction.
To report monk seal sightings:
Oahu: 220-7802
More information at http://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/pr/species/mammals/seals/hawaiian-monk-seal.html and http://www.fpir.noaa.gov/PRD/prd_hms_index.html
Sea Turtles
What's the commonality between the Sea Turtle and 15 feet? It is illegal to approach a Hawksbill Turtle any closer than 15 ft.
These magnificent creatures are on the endangered species list. You can find several turtles enjoying the sun on several north shore beaches. They weigh up to 250 pounds! For more about them, tinyurl.com/k4cmjke
These magnificent creatures are on the endangered species list. You can find several turtles enjoying the sun on several north shore beaches. They weigh up to 250 pounds! For more about them, tinyurl.com/k4cmjke
The Hawaiian Mongoose
Facts:
~They have dramatically decreased the native bird population, and can carry the potentially lethal leptospirosis.
~Currently, only the islands of Lana'i and Kaua'i are (thought to be) free of mongoose.
What do 72 Mongooses have to do with Hawaii? Everything!
Read more www.instanthawaii.com/cgi-bin/hi?Animals.mongoose
Even more: sites.google.com/a/hawaii.edu/ndnp-hawaii/Home/historical-feature-articles/mongooses
Facts:
- ~The female produces a normal litter of 2 to 5 pups per year.
~They have dramatically decreased the native bird population, and can carry the potentially lethal leptospirosis.
~Currently, only the islands of Lana'i and Kaua'i are (thought to be) free of mongoose.
What do 72 Mongooses have to do with Hawaii? Everything!
Read more www.instanthawaii.com/cgi-bin/hi?Animals.mongoose
Even more: sites.google.com/a/hawaii.edu/ndnp-hawaii/Home/historical-feature-articles/mongooses
Rooster and Pigs
Roosters - You will soon become familiar with the noise roosters which roam wild and often start crowing at 2:00am. Love them or hate them, they have been on the island as long as people have been here. They are also protected by law. Want to know more? Click HERE.
The Myna Bird -
They love to vocalize and roost together in something called a communal noise. Read more about them here.
- While visiting Hawaii, you will see these birds everywhere, which are identifyable by their yellow legs and masked eyes.
- These birds were brought to Honolulu around 1866 to help fight the cutworm month in the sugar cane fields.
They love to vocalize and roost together in something called a communal noise. Read more about them here.
Photo: http://hawaiinaturejournal.weebly.com/hawaii-plants-and-animals-in-the-backyard-and-beyond/angry-birds-common-mynah
Cattle Egrets,
What do Cattle Egrets and Hawaiian Endangered bird species have to do with each other? Plenty. If interested, read on: LINK
What do Cattle Egrets and Hawaiian Endangered bird species have to do with each other? Plenty. If interested, read on: LINK
Wild Boars and Ferrel Pigs:
Ferrel pigs are a problem on Oahu, and it is legal to hunt them. They churn up the forest floor in order to find fleshy plant roots and earthworms. This process has endangered many of the native plant species and simultaneously rid the dry forest of many valuable nutrients. If you are a hiker, here's what you should know:
LINK
Image: http://oahunaturetours.info/wildpigs.html
FACT: They are capable of sensing some odors 5-7 miles away and may be able to detect odors as much as 25 feet underground! Link
Ferrel pigs are a problem on Oahu, and it is legal to hunt them. They churn up the forest floor in order to find fleshy plant roots and earthworms. This process has endangered many of the native plant species and simultaneously rid the dry forest of many valuable nutrients. If you are a hiker, here's what you should know:
LINK
Image: http://oahunaturetours.info/wildpigs.html
FACT: They are capable of sensing some odors 5-7 miles away and may be able to detect odors as much as 25 feet underground! Link
House Keeping Items
Screens
A good portion of the apartments here do not have air conditioning, and fans are used to stay cool. Winds from the ocean often make the difference in comfort levels. Here are a few pointers:
A good portion of the apartments here do not have air conditioning, and fans are used to stay cool. Winds from the ocean often make the difference in comfort levels. Here are a few pointers:
- If you live close to the beach, your screens may plug up with salt mist.To the eye, they look clear, but if you run a rag over them, you will see a lint type substance fall away.Clean them using a spray bottle of vinegar and water, or remove them and clean them in the shower.
- Dry them with a lint free cloth afterwards and enjoy increased air flow.
Bugs LINK
Hawaii has some interesting bugs. The above link contains pictures, bites, prevention and treatments relating to the bugs in Hawaii. These include ants, cockroaches, centepedes, and other interesting critters.
- Ants – The tiny ants that looks like fine pepper flakes respond well to http://www.howtohq.com/get-rid-of-ants/
Gecko's
Gecko's are your friend. They eat the nasties like cockroaches. You may hear them chirping in your kitchen. They come in all colors and sizes. You can distiguish them from a lizard by their suction cup feet. Below is one of my friends.
Gecko's are your friend. They eat the nasties like cockroaches. You may hear them chirping in your kitchen. They come in all colors and sizes. You can distiguish them from a lizard by their suction cup feet. Below is one of my friends.
- Geckos eat household insects (including cockroaches)!
- They also eat fruit, nectar and pollen.
- Geckos are non-venomous and harmless to humans.
- Embrace the fact that he is keeping the bugs down in your place... and those suction cup toes are amazing!
Checkout the Gecko that I captured licking up something sweet.
Dragons-There is one thing you won't have to worry about... dragons! Only one exists on the island, and he lives in the mountains above Hauula.
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Sea Turtles - These are also known as "Honu". Where is the best place to see them on Oahu? Click the following LINK to learn more.
Image: fourwindsmaui.com |
Whales - Peak season for seeing whales here is January through March. The most common whale is the humpback whales. You can read more about them at this site.
Image: http://www.explore-the-big-island.com/big-island-whale-watching.html
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