Native and Endemic Species of Bermuda

There are many native species of terrestrial flora and fauna on the islands of Bermuda. Several of these are endemic to Bermuda. Native species are those that occur naturally, without the aid of humans. These species came to Bermuda by wind, water, or the aid of another organism (such as a bird carrying the seed of a plant). Endemic species are those native species that have been shaped by their environment so much that they have evolved into a different species from their ancestors, those organisms that first came to the area. Thus, endemic species are found only in one locality in the world, such as an island, or even a small cave. It is the native species of an ecosystem that are best adapted to the conditions there and thus provide the greatest ecosystem stability.

The following information is from the book Bermuda's Botanical Wonderland by Christine Phillips-Watlington.

Some examples of native Bermudian plants (see pictures below):

Some examples of endemic Bermudian plants (see pictures below): The following information is from three posters by David Wingate: Terrestrial Reptiles and Amphibians of Bermuda, Breeding Seabirds, Waterfowl, and Larger Landbirds of Bermuda, and Breeding Songbirds and Smaller Landbirds of Bermuda.

Some examples of native and endemic Bermudian animals:

1) 2)
1) Seaside Morning Glory (the vine on the beach) 2) Bermuda Sedge (the tuft of grass in the center)
3) 4)
3) Bermuda Cedar (a sick one) 4) Bermuda Palmetto (the palms)
5) 6)
5) Bermuda Olivewood 6) Bay Grape (the one on the upper left)


Back to Heidi's Bermuda Adventure Home Page