![]() The massive roots of Fagraea and Fitchia help stabilize steep slopes. Cloud forests start at around 400 m elevation. These are low-stature habitats of Metrosideros, Weinmannia, Ascarina, and Elaeocarpus. Freycinetia lianas and Fitchia shrubs tangle the mossy understory. On the limestone substrate makatea islands one finds Eleaeocarpus, Hernandia, Barringtonia, and Pandanus scrub forests. The flagship species of the Cook Islands Tropical Moist Forests ecoregion is the blue lorikeet. Image credit: Creative Commonsįew of the 130 native plants are unique to the Cook Islands, though the cloud forests of Rarotonga are known to have nine locally-endemic species. Typical for oceanic islands in the region, there are several species of widespread skinks and geckos. The land snail fauna is rich with many endemic species. ![]() Eight species of range-restricted birds occur in the archipelago, of which six are strictly endemic. ![]()
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