Wildlife of São Tomé and Príncipe

The wildlife of São Tomé and Príncipe includes its flora and fauna and their natural habitats. São Tomé and Príncipe are oceanic islands which have always been separate from mainland West Africa and so there is a relatively low diversity of species, restricted to those that have managed to cross the sea to the islands. However the level of endemism is high with many species occurring nowhere else in the world.

Fauna

Mammals

The diversity of mammals is low and there is only one endemic terrestrial mammal, the São Tomé Shrew. There are several bats including the recently-described São Tomé Free-tailed Bat. Various cetaceans such as the Humpback Whale occur offshore and whaling formerly took place. A number of species have been introduced by man such as the Mona Monkey, rats and feral pigs.

Birds

At least 114 bird species have occurred on the islands and there are about 26 endemics, depending on taxonomy. At least three have no close relatives and are classified in genera of their own, the São Tomé Short-tail, São Tomé Grosbeak and Dohrn's Thrush-babbler. The islands' birds include the world's largest sunbird (the Giant Sunbird) and the smallest ibis (Dwarf Olive Ibis). Large seabird colonies are found on some of the smaller islets. Several of the country's birds are considered to be threatened with extinction and three, the Dwarf Olive Ibis, São Tomé Fiscal and São Tomé Grosbeak, are critically endangered.

Flora

There are about 895 species of vascular plant native to the islands, of which 95 are restricted to São Tomé and 37 occur only on Príncipe. The families Orchidaceae, Rubiaceae and Euphorbiaceae are well-represented as are the genera "Calvoa" and "Begonia". The giant endemic begonias "Begonia crateris" and "Begonia baccata" can reach three metres in height. The islands are also rich in ferns.

Rainforest covers about 74% of the country. Much of this is secondary forest that has grown on abandoned plantations. A large area of forest is protected by Obo National Park. Other habitats include savanna and mangroves.

References

*African Bird Club (2008) " [http://www.africanbirdclub.org/countries/SaoTome/introduction.html Birding São Tomé and Príncipe] ". Accessed 1 July 2008.
*Gulf of Guinea Conservation Group (1999-2006) " [http://www.ggcg.st/ Gulf of Guinea Biodiversity Network] ". Accessed 1 July 2008.
*Warne, Sophie (2003) "Gabon, São Tomé and Príncipe: the Bradt Travel Guide", Bradt. ISBN 1841620734
*World Wildlife Fund (2001) " [http://www.worldwildlife.org/wildworld/profiles/terrestrial/at/at0127_full.html Sao Tome, Principe and Annobon moist lowland forests (AT0127)] ". Accessed 1 July 2008.