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National Park of American SamoaSamoan awa ceremony at Pago Pago
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National Park of American Samoa
Animals
 
Samoan flying fox
An NPS Photo by Tavita Togia.
Flying fox, or fruit bat, at roost.
 
The animal life of National Park of American Samoa is unique among the U.S. national parks. Key animal forms (from the flying foxes, or fruit bats, in the mountains to the massive coral reefs along the shorelines) shape all natural ecosystems here. Flying foxes are important terrestrial pollinators and thus, not surprisingly, this rain forest is dominated by fruit-bearing species--in contrast to Hawaii where the native forests are pollinated largely by nectar seeking birds and insects. The coral fringing reefs of the park shelter the greatest marine biodiversity in the U.S. and its possessions. The more than 800 native fish and 200 coral species of the park are bewildering and awesome.
 
The Natural History Guide to the Park has a checklist of mammals of the park.  View the list of marine mammals and reptiles.  View the list of land mammals and reptiles.
noddy tern
Natural History Guide to the Park
The on-line version of our latest book
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 Lined tang button
Fish Inventory
Lots of pictures of our local fishes
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 Coral head button
Coral Inventory
More than 200 species, many illustrated
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Humback whale
Checklist
Marine mammals and reptiles.
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A school of convict tang congregate in waters just beyond the reef  

Did You Know?
Some twenty percent of American Samoa’s nearshore waters lie within the park, and most of the 900 fish species recorded at American Samoa likely occur within the park.

Last Updated: August 29, 2006 at 13:39 EST