Do islands have large predators?

Large mammalian carnivores are often absent on islands because of insufficient range or difficulties in over-water dispersal. In their absence, the ecological niches for large predators may be occupied by birds, reptiles or smaller carnivorans, which can then grow to larger-than-normal size.



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Many species of animals on islands are larger than related species on the mainland. Scientists hypothesize that this phenomenon, called island gigantism, evolved in response to the scarcity of competitors and predators on islands.

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The island rule is a hypothesis whereby small mammals evolve larger size on islands while large insular mammals dwarf.

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The quokkas have plenty of natural resources and no natural predators, so you'll never be short of opportunities to experience them regardless of the time of year. Nocturnal by nature, they spend most of the day sleeping and resting under shady bushes, but can easily be seen lazing around the island.

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The Galapagos Islands are home to some of the highest levels of endemism (species found nowhere else on earth) anywhere on the planet. About 80% of the land birds you will see, 97% of the reptiles and land mammals, and more than 30% of the plants are endemic.

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