7 Islands Ruled by Animals
Humans are top dogs – everywhere you go. Well, almost. If humans really get your goat and you fancy getting away from the rat race, why not enter the animal kingdom for a while and head to one of these animal-dominated islands?
Which island has the most animals?
When it comes to islands and their animal populations, you're probably familiar with the Galapagos Islands and Madagascar, renowned for being islands with some of the most exotic animals.
But it is a lesser-known island that can lay claim being home to the world’s greatest concentration of unique mammal species.
A 15-year study by Scientists from the Field Museum in Chicago found that Luzon, the largest island in the Philippines holds this title.
Out of 56 species of mammals (not including bats) on the island, a staggering 52 were found to be endemic.
Islands ruled by animals
Aside from these islands that are a paradise for wildlife, there are a number of other islands ruled by animals, some of which are really quite obscure.
Here’s seven Islands that are ruled by animals...
Pig Island
Big Major Cay, Bahamas
Your pets might rule the roost at home, but did you know that there are whole islands that are ruled by animals?
One such island is Big Major Cay (More commonly known as Pig Island).
Yes, pigs might not be able to fly, but they can certainly swim - at least on this island in the Exuma area of the Bahamas.
No-one is sure how these aquatically gifted beasts got here to this uninhabited island, or who taught them to swim.
Theories as to how pigs got to Big Major Cay
Some suggest they survived a shipwreck, while others think they were left here by sailors who planned to return and transform them into streaky bacon.
Beware of your lunch!
While these paddling pork pies may seem ungainly, take care: if your boat gets too close, one of them may well try and board your vessel in search of grub.
Assateague Island
Maryland, United States
Another island ruled by animals, only ponies inhabit this island, which is divided between Maryland and Virginia by a pony-height fence.
Known as the Chincoteague pony, the island has been home to this rare breed of horses since the 1600’s, when it is believed that the ponies were released on the island by colonists who were wanting to escape livestock laws.
Does anyone own the horses on Assateague Island?
Maryland and Virginia own an equal share of the horses on Assateague Island.
Each year, the Virginians round up half their horses and have them swim to the mainland, where people can bid to own one.
Maryland, by contrast, lets their ponies roam free.
Cat Island
Tashirojima, Japan
On Cat Island felines vastly outnumber humans – whose population has plummeted in recent years. But the locals don't get all catty about it – in fact they believe cats are good luck and look after them very well.
If you visit here you'll be surrounded by thousands of delightful cats, but if you still need 'a bit more cat' from your experience, you can stay overnight in a building shaped like, yeah, a cat.
Purrrffect.
Rabbit Island
Ōkunoshima, Japan
This is how Watership Down should have ended – thousands of rabbits living in harmony in a disused poisonous gas factory.
OK scrub that last bit.
But it's true that this island was home to a lethal gas plant in World War Two (in contravention of the Geneva Protocol).
Why are there so many rabbits in Ōkunoshima?
Some say the bunnies' ancestors were used as guinea pigs (?) by the gas makers, while others suggest the rabbits were introduced as a cuddly counterpoint to the island's dark past.
Can you visit Japan’s Rabbit Island?
As a visitor to the island, you're most welcome, unless you happen to be a dog or a cat. Please see above if you're the latter.
Monkey Island
Cayo Santiago Puerto Rico
Just 38 acres in size. Cayo Santiago ss a tiny tree-filled island about half a mile from the main island.
Around 1000 Rhesus monkeys live on this island, which they decided to call 'Monkey Island'.
When was the Rhesus monkey introduced to the island?
The troop are descended from a group of monkeys brought here from India in 1938.
Their original purpose was related to scientific testing. Today, however, their main purpose is related to stealing your sunglasses and can of fizzy pop.
Snake Island
Brazil
Ilha de Queimada Grande, AKA Snake Island, which lies off the coast of Brazil is an island that no one can go to, and for very good reason.
Ilha de Queimada Grande is home to thousands of Golden Lancehead Vipers – one of the most lethal snakes on Earth.
The lanceheads are so venomous that a human bitten by one could be dead within an hour and between one and five of these serpents inhabit every square metre of the island.
Ilha da Queimada Grande is so dangerous that Brazil has made it illegal for anyone to visit.
Needless to say, you're not at all likely to find a travel insurance policy that covers you for a trip here, so you might as well take it off your bucket list.
However, it might come up in the pub quiz.
Seal Island
Duiker Island, Near Cape Town
Less an island, more a collection of rocks that are perfect for sun-basking – especially if you're a seal.
Indeed, Duiker Island is home to one of the largest colonies of Cape fur seals - Thousands of them live here.
Life is pretty good for most of the year but tails off a bit when the Great White Sharks arrive.
These fellas aren't interested in sun-bathing but do like to swim around in a circle that some people call The Ring of Death.
You do the maths.
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