English name: Orchid Island
Sand type: Volcanic
Studied since: 1997
Predominant species: This island is home to the second largest intensively-studied green turtle nesting population in Taiwan.
Predominant species: This island is home to the second largest intensively-studied green turtle nesting population in Taiwan.
Interesting facts:
- Taiwan kukri snakes (Oligodon formosanus) are a known predator of turtle eggs on this island.
- Orchid Island is home to several rare species that are endemic to this island alone, such as the Lanyu scops owl (Otus elegans), and a rare endemic orchid (Phalaenopsis equestris).
- The majority of the island is inhabited by local aboriginal people (known as the Tao, or Yami people) who have a rich and interesting culture very closely linked to the ocean and its marine life.
- National Geographic magazine determined that the language of these local aboriginals is one of the top 10 endangered languages on earth.
- The waters surrounding the island have a high density and diversity of sea snakes.
- Orchid Island is also home to a nuclear waste storage facility.
- Taiwan kukri snakes (Oligodon formosanus) are a known predator of turtle eggs on this island.
- Orchid Island is home to several rare species that are endemic to this island alone, such as the Lanyu scops owl (Otus elegans), and a rare endemic orchid (Phalaenopsis equestris).
- The majority of the island is inhabited by local aboriginal people (known as the Tao, or Yami people) who have a rich and interesting culture very closely linked to the ocean and its marine life.
- National Geographic magazine determined that the language of these local aboriginals is one of the top 10 endangered languages on earth.
- The waters surrounding the island have a high density and diversity of sea snakes.
- Orchid Island is also home to a nuclear waste storage facility.
Selected readings:
Cheng I-J, Dutton PH, Chen
C-L, Chen H-C, Chen Y-H, Shea, J-W. 2008. Comparison of the Genetics and
Nesting Ecology of Two Green Turtle Rookeries in Taiwan. J Zoology 276(4):
375-384.
Cheng I-J, Huang C-T, Hung P-Y, Ke B-Z, Kuo C-W, Fong C. 2009. A ten year monitoring of the nesting ecology of the green turtle, Chelonia mydas, on Lanyu Island, Taiwan. Zool Stud 48(1): 83-94.
Cheng I-J, Huang C-T, Hung P-Y, Ke B-Z, Kuo C-W, Fong C. 2009. A ten year monitoring of the nesting ecology of the green turtle, Chelonia mydas, on Lanyu Island, Taiwan. Zool Stud 48(1): 83-94.
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