Joanna James
The Maldives is often lauded as one of the best vacation destinations in the world! The islands are a great visit for nature lovers as well – especially for those planning to catch a glimpse of native wildlife in their natural habitat – here're the top 7 exotic species to keep an eye out for.
Fruit bats are common throughout the entirety of the Maldives. They are often residing on large trees that are close to - Maldives island resorts such as the Grand Park Kodhipparu. As dusk settles, you'll find droves of these flying mammals set off from their tree homes in search of food – delicious island fruits are their favourite! You can also spot these guys when the sun is up, all curled up on the treetops with their heads tucked in. Interestingly, fruit bats are among the largest extant native mammal species found on the Maldives and can make for a great sight – whether you catch them resting or mid-flight.
Sea turtles are some of the rarest reptiles found on the planet with a majority of sea turtle varieties being under the threat of extinction. The Maldives atoll is frequented by the green sea turtle, the leatherback turtle, and the hawksbill turtle. June through November is the best time to catch a sighting of these seafaring animals – of course, you'll need to be decked out in your snorkelling or scuba gear to get a proper look!
While snakes aren't always viewed as pleasant by every traveller, they are nevertheless a group of very interesting animals. As far as the Maldives s concerned, the species you need to keep an eye out for is the yellow-bellied sea snake. These oceanic serpents are quite docile and can even be approached, beware though that they are among the most venomous creatures found on the planet and so deserve respect.
Various species of cetaceans frequent the waters that surround the Maldives. A whale watching tour through the coastal waters can net you sightings of playful spinner dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, and Fraser's dolphins. The largest member of the dolphin family, the killer whale – so-called due to its ferocious predatory nature – can also be spotted moving in small pods here. Oceanic titans such as the blue whale, pilot whale, and the Bryde's whale also frequent these waters and can make for an unforgettable sighting.
The coral reefs that surround the atoll are full of all manner of fish and reef denizens – these prey species in turn support a large shark population. Reef sharks are the most common shark sighting you'll see when exploring the corals. These small but efficient predators are speedy and quick – you might even be lucky enough to see them pursue and catch a few fish. The hammerhead shark is one of the more elusive shark varieties found here – these bizarre-looking hunters use their hammer-shaped heads to detect the electrical signals of rays and fish hiding under the sand of the ocean floor.
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