The Wild Boar is an invasive species. Meaning it is not native to Oahu and causes economic and ecological damage to its surroundings. Wild boars can be found on every continent except Antarctica because they are able to adapt to different surroundings and thrive. Wild boars typically live in groups of six to twenty relatives. Female wild boars can give birth at any time of year giving birth to a litter of five or six young up to twice a year. The young meet sexual maturity at ten months for females and five to seven months for males.
In general, Wild Boars eat plant matter like roots, tubulars, and fruits, but they have been known to eat small birds, mammals and reptiles. Being invasive they are especially good at adjusting there diet based on the food that is available to them. When looking for food, Wild Boars disrupt soils and roots thus encouraging erosion and decreasing the rate of seed success in the region (Chapman, 2007). |
The Hawaiian monk seal is endemic to Hawaii. Meaning it is not only native to this region, but it is only found in this region. These seals breed once a year (February to March) and have just one pup at a time. The gestation period is eleven months, and the pups reach sexual maturity in five to ten years. Hawaiian monk seals live for 25 years and with the exception of breeding season they live in solidarity. Very rarely do the seals move from one island to the other and typically live there entirely lives on the Hawaiian island. Hawaiian monk seals are nocturnal and have a majority of there activity at night. A majority of there diet is made up of fish, but they also eat mollusks and crustaceans. They are listed on the IUCN's red list of threatened species and are protectedU under the under the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Endangered Species Act, and the Marine Mammal Protection Act (Antonelis, 2010)(National Marine Fisheries Service, 2007).
. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Endangered Species Act, they are also protected under the Marine Mammal Protection
. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Endangered Species Act, they are also protected under the Marine Mammal Protection
The Hoary Bat has a very large distribution, and is the only bat found in Hawaii. These bats mate in the fall, and typically give birth to litters of two. With a life span of two and a half years, most of that time is spent alone. Hoary bats are only found in large groups for mating and migration (fall and spring). Like most bats these are blind and use echolocation to get around. However, unique to the Hoary bat they are know to make shrill chatter while in flight. Hoary bats are insectivores, and the majority of there diet is moths. Being insectivores they fulfill an important ecosystem roll in controlling the insect populations. Most Hoary bats are wide spread and flourishing however the Hawaiian sub species (Lasiurus cinereus semotus) is on the endangered species list for the U.S. Fish and Wild Life Service (Ruff, 1999).
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