NON-AVIAN
WILDLIFE OF HAWAI'I -NON-AVIAN
WILDLIFE OF HAWAI'I -
IN THE STREAMS
Several introduced species of Turtle exist in the Hawaiian Islands but are often elusive and hard to see. The best and easiest way to observe them is to look for sunning spots where Turtles might haul out onto a log or pile of dry grass to sunbathe. Several indigenous fish species also survive in Hawai'i's streams and rivers but are under immense pressure from the many non-native species introduced by man. Higher elevation streams, especially above waterfalls are often the easiest locations to observe native fish. (E = Endemic; I = Indigenous; * = Introduced)
| RED-EARED SLIDER TURTLE | BULLFROG |
| SOFT-SHELLED TURTLES | NATIVE FISH - 'O'OPU |
| CRAYFISH | INTRODUCED FISH |
| DRAGONFLIES & DAMSELFLIES |
| RED-EARED
SLIDER TURTLE (Trachemys scripta elegans) * Kaua'i; O'ahu Native to the Mississippi Valley in North America
this species can now be seen in many U.S. States and other areas around the World, including O'ahu and Kaua'i.
On O'ahu the species can be seen in Kawai Nui Marsh and surrounding drainage areas and on Kaua'i
can be seen in several rivers along the North and East shores including Hanalei NWR and Hanalei
River, where individuals can often be seen sunning themselves on logs and dry grass. Usually the species is
seen singly or small groups of two to five individuals. In size the Turtles can range from a few inches in juveniles
to one and a half feet in mature adults. The carapace color varies from green to brown and the head is brownish
with yellow stripes on the chin and face sides. There is a red spot on the ear - hence the species name. The species
is likely to spread to other islands in the future. |
| SOFT-SHELLED
TURTLES (Trionychidae spp.) * Kaua'i; O'ahu Two species have been introduced to Hawai'i - the Wattle-necked Softshell Turtle (Palea steindachneri) and the Chinese Softshell Turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis). Both are found on O'ahu and Kaua'i only in drainage ditches, streams, ponds and freshwater marshes. The Wattle-necked is the more common of the two, but both are seldom seen due to their secretive nature and almost entirely aquatic existence. Wattle-necked Turtles have a neck with wart-like tubercles where the neck and shell join; in the Chinese Softshell this area is smoother. On the ventral side the Wattle-necked shows a gray splotchy pattern whereas in Chinese Softshell the area is white with a darker-patterned rear area. Both species have a protruding narrow snout-like nose. Both species eat a variety of foodstuffs including fish, crayfish, mollusks, bullfrogs and even Giant Toads. It also seems likely that the species may eat the odd waterbird chick. Adult Wattle-necks can grow up to 41cm across, whereas Chinese are usually a little smaller. Link: Turtles |
| CRAYFISH E ; * All Main Islands Two species are found in Hawai'i's cleaner streams and rivers. The native CRAYFISH () E and the introduced LOUISIANA CRAYFISH ( )* |
| BULLFROG
(Rana catesbeiana) * All Main Islands The largest frog native to North America this introduced species can be found in ponds, streams, rivers, marshes and reservoirs and has a wide range of food items. It was introduced to the Big Island from Northern California in the late 1800's as a food source and insect eater. They can grow to 7inches or more and are green or brown. They are present on all the Main Islands. According to McKeown the species is not native to California or western America and was actually introduced to new areas of California from Hawai'i, with frogs with Californian roots!! Note: Other Frog and Toad species are dealt with in Non-avian Wildlife of Hawai'i - On the Ground. |
| NATIVE FISH
- 'O'OPU (Sicyopterus stimpsoni) E Kaua'i; O'ahu; Maui; Hawai'i Few streams remain in Hawai'i that are virtually pristine and as such finding native fishes is not always easy, but with patience it is possible to observe a few. Five species of freshwater fish occur in Hawai'i and are known as 'o'opu and evolved from saltwater ancestors in the goby family. As adults the fish live in freshwater streams their fertilized eggs wash downstream and the young 'o'opu spend the first several months of their lives at sea. Four of the five species have fused pelvic fins, a useful adaptation that forms a suction cup which enables them to fasten to rocks, stream bottoms and to even climb waterfalls. Although elusive 'o'opu can sometimes be seen in clear, unpolluted streams on Kaua'i, O'ahu, Maui and Hawai'i. One good place to look is Limahuli National Tropical Botanical Gardens at Ha'ena on Kaua'i, as well as the fish there is a fantastic display of native plants and money collected by the gardens is used to protect habitat and further plant conservation work and so is well worth a visit. The nearby Hanalei River also has 'o'opu but the muddy waters in the lower section do not make observation possible and a trip further inland is required, however numbers in the Hanalei River have dropped severely in recent years. Link: Hawai'i Stream Research Center |
| INTRODUCED FISH All * All Main Islands Many species of fish have been introduced to Hawai'i for food and sport and can be found in almost all water habitats in the Main Islands. The species listed below are just some of the species found today.
|
