Boa Vista and its biodiversity

SEA TURTLES

In the archipelago of Cape Verde, 5 of the 7 species of sea turtles that exist in the world have been observed to date. Currently all species of sea turtles are in danger of extinction, although there are laws for their protection at the international level.

In the archipelago of Cape Verde, 5 of the 7 species of sea turtles that exist in the world have been observed to date:

  • Common or Loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) nesting in the archipelago.
  • Green turtle (Chelonia mydas): in a juvenile state, although in recent years nests have been recorded in Sal, Boa Vista and Maio.
  • Olive turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea): from which dead or sick individuals have been recorded, although in recent years nesting has been recorded in Sal, Boa Vista and Maio
  • Carey turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata): juvenile stage.
  • Leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea): sporadic observation.

Currently all species of sea turtles are in danger of extinction, although there are laws for their protection at the international level.

The Caretta caretta population of Cape Verde is the only nesting colony in the eastern Atlantic basin, the 2nd largest colony in the Atlantic and the 3rd most important in the world, after Oman and Florida, but it is also found within the 11 populations of most endangered sea turtles in the world according to IUCN 2011 (International Union for Conservation of Nature).

Boa Vista welcomes on its beaches more than 65% of the nesting of the entire archipelago. This nesting is concentrated on the beaches of the eastern and southeastern coast of the island, in the Reserva Natural da Tartaruga (RNT) and in the Parque Natural do Norte (PNN), but can be observed in almost every beach in the island.

CETACEANS

A total of 24 species were observed in the archipelago, 5 from the group of large whales (cetaceans with beards) and 19 from the group of dolphins, pilot whales and sperm whales (cetaceans with teeth).

On the island of Boa Vista the most famous species is the humpback whale…

A total of 24 species were observed in the archipelago, 5 from the group of large whales (cetaceans with beards) and 19 from the group of dolphins, pilot whales and sperm whales (cetaceans with teeth).

On the island of Boa Vista the most famous species is the humpback whale.

Every spring from March to May, they migrate from the feeding areas in the North Atlantic, mainly from the coasts of Canada and Greenland, for their reproduction in the waters between Sal, Boa Vista, Maio and Santiago.

BIRDS

In Boa Vista is a regular breeding ground of 8 species of seabirds: White-faced storm petrel (Pelagodroma marina), Madeiran storm-petrel (Oceanodroma castro), Bulwer’s petrel (Bulweria bulwerii), Cape Verde little shearwater (Puffinus boydi)

In Boa Vista is a regular breeding ground of 8 species of seabirds: White-faced storm petrel (Pelagodroma marina), Madeiran storm-petrel (Oceanodroma castro), Bulwer’s petrel (Bulweria bulwerii), Cape Verde little shearwater (Puffinus boydi), Cape Verde shearwater (Calonetris edwadsii), Brown booby (Sula leucogaster) and red-billed tropicbird (Phaethon aetereus). We will also find osprey (Pandion haliaetus), a bird of prey completely adapted to catch surface fish in shallow beaches and bays. All of them are strictly protected by international agreements and laws of the Republic of Cape Verde.

SHARKS

In the waters of Boa Vista nearly 20 species are regularly observed. The most endangered are the hammerhead shark (Sphyrna lewini), manta ray (Mobula birostris), tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier), mako shark (Isurus oxyrinchus) and the whale shark (Rhincodon typus)…

In the waters of Boa Vista nearly 20 species are regularly observed. The most endangered are the hammerhead shark (Sphyrna lewini), manta ray (Mobula birostris), tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier), mako shark (Isurus oxyrinchus) and the whale shark (Rhincodon typus). The beaches of Sal Rei, Baia das Gatas and Porto Ferreira are generally used as nursery and growth zones for juveniles of different species such as hammerhead shark, black tip shark, Spinner shark, Milk shark, Common smooth hound and Atlantic weasel shark, respectively.

MARINE INVERTEBRATES

Mollusks occupy a prominent place due to their great genetic diversity and the number of endemic species. In Cape Verde there are 168 species (71 genera, 36 families) of snails and the like…

Mollusks occupy a prominent place due to their great genetic diversity and the number of endemic species.

In Cape Verde there are 168 species (71 genera, 36 families) of snails and the like, with the particularity of a Conidae family, which has 53 species in a single genus Connus spp., of which 16 are considered endemic to Boa Vista.

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