Animals of Mauritius for kids

Mauritius is a small island in the Indian Ocean with some very special animals. Some, like the dodo, lived nowhere else in the world. Ruby & Ti-Mo meet a new animal in each adventure. Here are simple facts, videos and colouring pages for each one.

The dodo

The dodo lived only on Mauritius, nowhere else in the world.
It could not fly, but it walked on strong yellow legs.
It was about 1 metre tall, as tall as a 4-year-old child.
Its closest living cousin is the colourful Nicobar pigeon.
Dodos disappeared more than 350 years ago. You can still see one on the Mauritius coat of arms.

▶ Watch: The Last Dodo Egg (film)Colouring page

The cateau vert (green parrotfish)

"Cateau vert" is the Mauritian name for the green parrotfish.
Its teeth make a beak, just like a parrot's.
It nibbles algae off rocks and coral, which helps keep the reef healthy.
It crunches dead coral, and that comes out as fine white sand!
Some parrotfish sleep inside a see-through bubble they make.

▶ Watch: Wiggle Like a Fishy! (song)Colouring page

Coming soon in Ruby & Ti-Mo

Ruby & Ti-Mo meet these animals in the next episodes of the season.

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Giant tortoises

Mauritius once had its own giant tortoises. Today giant tortoises from Aldabra live in Mauritian parks and can live for more than 100 years.

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The pink pigeon

A pink pigeon found only in Mauritius. Once there were only about ten left in the wild; thanks to careful protection there are now hundreds.

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The Mauritius kestrel

A small falcon of the forests. In 1974 only four were known in the wild, making it the rarest bird in the world. Today there are many more.

Be a nature friend

Look at animals, but do not touch or feed them.
Leave shells, coral and nests where you find them.
Put litter in the bin, especially at the beach.
Visit nature parks that protect Mauritian animals.