Seven Islands Ruled by Creatures Great and Small
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While many of these evolutionary outliers have gone extinct, islands around the world are still home to strange and wonderful creatures that have adapted to their unique environments. Here are seven islands ruled by creatures great and small.
1. Socotra, Yemen
This remote island in the Indian Ocean is home to a bizarre collection of plants and animals, including the dragon's blood tree, which produces a deep red sap that was once used as a dye and medicine. Socotra is also home to the Socotra sparrow, a critically endangered bird that is found nowhere else on Earth.
2. Komodo, Indonesia
This island is home to the Komodo dragon, the largest living lizard in the world. Komodo dragons can grow up to 10 feet long and weigh up to 300 pounds. They are apex predators that prey on deer, wild pigs, and even humans.
3. Madagascar
This island is home to a unique ecosystem that is home to a variety of lemurs, chameleons, and other animals. Madagascar is also home to the baobab tree, a massive tree that can store water in its trunk. Baobab trees can live for up to 1,000 years.
4. Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
This archipelago is home to a variety of iconic species, including the Galapagos giant tortoise, the marine iguana, and the blue-footed booby. The Galapagos Islands were made famous by Charles Darwin, who visited the islands in 1835 and developed his theory of evolution by natural selection.
5. Lord Howe Island, Australia
This small island is home to a variety of seabirds, including the Lord Howe Island stick insect, the world's heaviest insect. Lord Howe Island is also home to the Lord Howe Island palm, a tree that is found nowhere else on Earth.
6. Aldabra Atoll, Seychelles
This atoll is home to a variety of marine life, including the Aldabra giant tortoise, the world's second-largest tortoise species. Aldabra Atoll is also home to the Aldabra rail, a flightless bird that is found nowhere else on Earth.
7. Gough Island, South Atlantic Ocean
This remote island is home to a variety of seabirds, including the Tristan albatross, the world's largest seabird. Gough Island is also home to the Gough bunting, a small bird that is found nowhere else on Earth.
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