These Are The Hawaii Sea Animals You Can Only Find in Hawaii

Due to Hawaii’s unique location and environment, it is home to many species that can only be found there.

With its branching coral reefs, iridescent fish, and weird-looking invertebrates, it’s not hard to see why the island chain is known as one of the best places to dive and snorkel in the world.

There are many different kinds of animals in the ocean that can’t be found anywhere else on Earth. Get your snorkeling gear and an underwater camera ready, because these eight sea creatures can only be found in the waters around Hawaii.

Hawaiian octopus

Even though there are many kinds of octopuses in Hawaii, only the Hawaiian octopus and the Short-Arm Sand Octopus are native to the islands. They are very smart and know how to blend in with their surroundings in an instant. So you will be very lucky to see one out on the reef if you don’t know how to spot them, like many local fishermen do.

If you go snorkeling anywhere in the state, you’re sure to see at least one species of butterflyfish. The pebbled type is easy to find in lagoons or shallow reefs close to shore.

Hawaiian monk seal

The Hawaiian monk seal is the only native mammal besides the Hawaiian people. But these seals are an endangered species whose numbers are going up. They are most often seen on the beaches of the main Hawaiian Islands, where they live. The Hawaiians called these 450-pound seals ‘ilio holo I ka uaua, which means “the dog that runs in rough water.”

Finger coral and Bringham’s coral

Coral is a living thing that is made up of groups of tiny coral polyps. Coral reefs are an important part of the marine ecosystem and can be found all over the world, including Hawaii. Ancient Hawaiians also knew how important the coral reef was. In their famous creation chant, the Kumulipo, they say that the coral reef was the first living thing in the universe.

Hanau ka ‘Uku-ko’ako’a, hanau kana, he ‘Ako’ako’a, puka. The coral polyp was born, and then the coral itself.

Hawaiian dascyllus

Some people call these small reef fish “Hawaiian Domino fish” because of how much they look like the game. Schools of Hawaiian dascyllus can often be seen swimming between coral heads and poking their heads out of reef cracks.

Painted hermit crab

Don’t put that pretty shell in your pocket, because a hermit crab might live in it. There are many kinds of hermit crabs, and you can easily see them moving through the tide pools in Hawaii. Since they change shells often, the animals can be told apart by the colors of their eyes and legs. The Painted Hermit Crab is a native species. It has black and orange stripes on its legs, turquoise eyes, and brown claws with white spots.

Hawaiian spiny lobster

This species of lobster, called Ula in Hawaiian, usually hides under ledges or in cracks in the coral reef. Their antennae can be used to find them. Even though there is a strict fishing season and rules, these rainbow-colored marine invertebrates are a local favorite and are being overfished.

Topic: These Are The Hawaii Sea Animals You Can Only Find in Hawaii

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By: Travel Pixy