Are There Alligators In Hawaii?

Hawaii is an exotic place to the main landers in the landmass of the United States.

It is a small archipelago in the middle of the largest ocean in the world that is thousands of miles from any other land mass, and yet people can’t seem to get enough of it. 

The unique culture, the intriguing wildlife, the climate, and the lack of anything else around make it an enticing place for even the most well traveled person.

However, for every exotic place, there are a few creatures lurking nearby looking to make it their home.

If people think a place is worth living, then you can guarantee that some intelligent animals have thought the same. 

But for a small group of islands, it’s hard to imagine large predators setting up their home there, unless they live in the waters around the islands and if Florida is anything to go by, there is one predator that would be very at home on these islands. Alligators.

So, does Hawaii have alligators? Are there any dangerous predators there? In this article, we seek to answer these questions, so you don’t have to. 

Alligators In Hawaii

If you are asking whether there are alligators on the islands of Hawaii, then the answer would be: maybe.

If you are asking whether there are any native alligators on the islands of Hawaii, then the answer would be: No, absolutely not. 

The only time you should see an alligator or large crocodilian on the islands of Hawaii would be in the zoo.

Otherwise, the islands should be completely alligator free.

While it is undoubted that any kind of crocodile-like creature would thrive in Hawaii, they are not native and should never be brought to the islands. 

The reason is situational and geographical. The Hawaii archipelago is a group of volcanic islands that were formed in the middle of the Pacific.

For an alligator to get to Hawaii, it would have to cross the landmass of North America and then the Pacific Ocean, while finding food and water for itself, while also avoiding larger predators. Basically not ideal. 

Other creatures have been able to cross giant landmasses and oceans – which has happened in Hawaii before – but they had advantages that an alligator doesn’t.

For starters, many could simply fly the distance. Others were very small and floated on rafts of tangled vegetation or on ships of explorers.

Most of these travelers were also warm-blooded and could keep going through the frigid seas, which alligators would not be able to do. 

What Large Land Predators Exist On Hawaii?

For those who want to know what land predators actually inhabit Hawaii, the answer is: none really.

There are no native mammals (even though there used to be) and only three species of reptiles, two of them being snakes. 

However, despite the lack of large land predators, there are still plenty of ocean dwelling ones.

There are several kinds of sharks, as well as rays and fish such as barracuda and jacks.

Plus, there are hundreds of different types of seabirds and marine life, including turtles and dolphins. 

The sharks are the apex predators of these islands and though there is safety on land, the ocean provides everything for the islands, including fun and culture.

Therefore, many people will brave the waves despite the dangers lurking below. 

So far, nobody has ever found evidence of any large carnivore on the islands of Hawaii, but the fact remains that they could be out there.

However, it should be noted that the likelihood of this is small.

No evidence exists of one and no traditional Hawaiian folklore speaks of one, as is the case for most cultures living in proximity to a large predator. 

What Animals Live On The Hawaiian Islands?

There are some wild animals that live on the islands of Hawaii. These include various species of birds, insects and even plants.

Amongst these, there are a few that can pose problems if left unchecked. 

In terms of birds, there are numerous species of seabirds that nest on the islands of Hawaii and can cause damage from their nests and eggs.

This includes albatrosses, petrels and shearwaters.

Some of the more common bird species include: Laysan Albatross, Black Skua, Brown Noddy, Common Murre, Red-footed Booby, White Tern, Yellow-eyed Penguin, Ringed Plover, Northern Flicker, Mockingbird, Pigeon Guillemot, and so forth.

Insects are another part of the animal kingdom that lives on the Hawaiian Islands. This includes various butterflies and moths.

One of the most prevalent insect pests is the mosquito. Mosquitoes thrive in areas with standing water, and they are often quite abundant on the islands.

Other insects that find themselves at home here include termites, grasshoppers, beetles and ants. 

Finally, there are plants that also make up part of the ecosystem on the islands of Hawaii, like the forests, shrubs and trees.

They include coconut palms, bamboo, breadfruit and others.

It’s important to note that trees are vital for the health of the island environment because they provide shade, fresh air and shelter for wildlife.

However, while the Hawaiian islands does include some mammals, as we mentioned earlier these are not native and in fact have had a dire impact on the native flora and fauna that already exist on the island.

The Hawaiian people, government, and some dedicated volunteers have worked hard to keep these non-native settlers at bay and help the ecosystem recover.

This has led to areas where the public is encouraged to avoid and places that are kept secret all together in case someone (it could be anyone, even a well-meaning but intrusive person) stumbles across these areas and attracts others, including non-native creatures. 

Conclusion

The Hawaiian islands are a marvelous, wonderful place that, if you are a nature lover, you should definitely explore.

If your main worry about visiting the islands is large predatory animals, then fear not as the most dangerous things on the islands themselves are snakes and people with large predators, even alligators, nowhere to be seen.