Mauritius Wildlife and Economy

Animals and Plants

Habitat for animals and plants

Mainly due to the deforestation and hunting of animals, the habitat for animals and plants has decreased. There are no longer so many different species, but there are some that are only at home in Mauritius, these are then called endemic. Before humans settled on the islands, there were no mammals there, with the exception of bats or fruit bats.

Introduced species

Instead, humans introduced species that had no place there and often caused great damage because they lacked natural enemies. The animals introduced include rats and mice, but also deer and crab monkeys. Many original species have died out on Mauritius.

Extinct or Critically Endangered

These include a giant bird called the dodo, which people hunted when they settled on the islands. Giant tortoises and manatees also retreated. Some turtles still exist today, but only protected in nature parks and gardens and in small numbers. The Mauritian parrot, one of the largest parrot species in the world, is also extinct.

Many species of birds are also threatened with extinction. The endemic species include the Mascarene Spectacled Bird, the Mauritian Parakeet and the very rare rose pigeon, which also only lives on Mauritius.

What is crawling around in Mauritius?

There are only a few species of reptiles in Mauritius. The Chameleons belong to them. By the way, they can move their eyes independently of each other. And with their grasping hands they can easily cling to branches. In addition, there are harmless species of snakes that cannot be dangerous to humans. Skink maps and geckos can also be seen on the islands.

Colorful underwater world

The animals living under water were able to protect themselves better than many land animals. These live in different species in the colorful coral reefs. Whether parrotfish, angelfish, angelfish or thick-lipped fish, they all come in striking colors. There are also more dangerous species of fish that you shouldn’t get too close to, such as the poisonous stone fish or the tiger fish. Giant moray eels can be spotted. Those who venture further out to sea can also find whales and dolphins here.

In the following video you will meet many animals that live in Mauritius, such as fruit bats, mongoose crocodiles, turtles and land turtles and so a few more. Take a close look, you are sure to know some!

What is growing there in Mauritius?

Originally the islands of Mauritius were densely overgrown with rainforest. Precious wood trees and various tropical plants stood side by side. These trees also knew how to protect the islands from the great cyclones. But people cleared the wood to earn money with it. Then large plantations were set up, especially for sugar cane. For more articles on Mauritius and Africa, please visit homosociety.

The precious woods could not be reforested later on, but bamboo, baobab, coconut palms, breadfruit trees and tamarinds still grow. The flame tree also grows in Mauritius, although it originally comes from Madagascar and is very nice to look at with its red color. You can guess why it is called that when you look at the photo opposite.

What is in bloom in Mauritius?

Flowers also grow in many ways. Well-known species are hibiscus, bougainvillea or Trochetia boutoniana, which is also considered the national flower of Mauritius. This is a shrub belonging to the mallow family. However, this plant is also threatened with extinction.

What tastes and smells so delicious in Mauritius?

Spices and fruits also thrive on Mauritius. Many fruits were also introduced. So you can eat pineapples, bananas, mangoes, papayas or litchis there. In addition to coriander and pepper, cloves and the popular nutmeg grow as spices.

Economy

What does sugar cane have to do with Mauritius?

Since the political situation in Mauritius is fairly stable, many companies came to the islands to invest money there. The people of Mauritius have a high income compared to other African countries. Cane sugar was grown in Mauritius and for a long time this sugar was one of the small country’s most important sources of income. Most people made a living from growing sugar cane. But the falling prices of sugar also had consequences for people’s incomes. Although sugar cane cultivation is still important in Mauritius, the small country has meanwhile managed to open up additional economic fields in order to become more independent of the sugar cane price.

Other industries in Mauritius: textiles and tourism

Another important industry today is the manufacture of textiles. Above all, well-known designers – people who invent fashion – from France have their products made in Mauritius. Another important industry is the cutting of precious stones.

Then there is tourism, which is growing steadily on Mauritius. Some time ago only very rich people came there, but now the islands have also become interesting for people with smaller budgets. Nevertheless one tries to keep the mass tourism away from Mauritius. Because we know that only the preservation of nature ultimately attracts tourists and that the destruction of nature would also mean the destruction of the most important economic basis.

Why Mauritius has a stable economy, unlike many African countries that have been granted independence, is the subject of much research. Part of it is certainly due to the stable political situation and democracy in the country.