057 – Mauritius - Where The Wild Things Are

Although Mauritius’ most famous indigenous wildlife,

(Raphus cucullatus - The Dodo)

Has long since gone the way of…well…itself,

There are two species that have been running wild since we got here.

Related mammals of the family Bearssidae, Cieli mapleus and Tasman gryphoni are playful creatures that have flourished in the tropical climate.

Habitat

Primarily nomadic for much of their infancy, they have been known to adapt to a variety of ecosystems;

Coastal, 

Arboreal, 

(Delonix regia - Flamboyant Tree)

Urban, 

(Port Louis Street Market)

And Aquatic.

Favouring those with abundant food sources,

(Port Louis Food Market)

(Litchi Fruit)

(Itty-Bitty Prawns)

(Meat...mmmmm.....Meat)

And ready access to medicinal herbs.

(All evidence-based, I’m sure)

C. mapleus is also known to forage for goods outside of her home territory.

Once settled T. gryphoni typically nests in a consistent location,

While C. mapleus is more flexible and will often improvise, as conditions necessitate.

Diet

Both have voracious appetites for food and drink,

Even bizarre local beverages gathered by our driver, Abedeen.

And much like the endemic fauna,

They will routinely consume their body weight in gelato,

Especially the black-as-night Extra-Dark Cioccolato,

Which their handlers have discovered is much more cost-effective to purchase in bulk…

Some subspecies have developed an appreciation for the common tea plant (Camellia sinensis),

Its processing, 

And its extracts.

With a particular preference to those that come in pink boxes.

Grooming

Due to the haphazard feeding style of T. gryphoni,

All meals are followed by mandatory thrice-daily preening sessions.

And, while his feathered 70’s mane,

 Can be easily tamed.

The golden locks of C. mapleus provide a bit more of a challenge,

Although, not insurmountable.

Behaviour and Interspecies Interactions

Generally much happier in the wild, they can be melancholic in captivity.

However, at the Casela Nature and Leisure Park, they mingle and cavort with the other inhabitants quite readily.

"Um, could you please pass the loofah?"

"This is great! Just don't go all 'Siegfried and Roy' on me here, okay?"

"Hey! Tony! You got that 600 rupees I loaned you?"

"So your saying we just chill out here until the ladies bring home dinner...? Niiice!"

There they maintain harmony by fostering symbiotic relationships,

And stepping in to assert dominance,

When other residents get a little too wild.
(You've gotta have sound for this one...)

"Move along, nuthin' to see here"

While they can appear playful,

Remember, these are wild animals, and should only be handled by trained professionals,

Or taxi drivers,

Or giggly 15-year-old girls, 

Or the guy that rents the beach chairs...

Consider yourself warned.