Search for American Samoa
Sooty tern
Remains as one of the most resilient residents of the tropics
Bristle-thighed curlew
One of the only tool-using shorebirds
Pacific golden plover
Before their 3,000-mile flight, they become “hyperphagic,” eating until fat makes up nearly half of their body weight
Pacific sheath-tailed bat
It loves caves, lava tubes and rock cracks
Short-finned pilot whale
The “cheetahs” of the deep ocean
Black noddy
Black feathers, white cap, sleek shape — it’s the tuxedo of the bird world
Chatham albatross
Thrive in strong winds that actually help them fly
Striped dolphin
Among the most athletic dolphins, known for their spectacular leaps and spins that can reach several meters high
Risso’s dolphin
Sometimes called the “scars in the water” thanks to their many white markings
Wart snake
When you touch it (not that you should!), it feels like coarse sandpaper
Yellow-bellied sea snake
The most widespread species of snakes on earth are found throughout the Indian and Pacific Oceans and from Africa to Central America
Stump-toed gecko
Its thin, translucent skin gives it a ghostly appearance under bright light
Brahminy blind snake
Often mistaken for an earthworm
Polynesian rat
The third most widespread rat on Earth, after the brown rat and black rat
Ruddy turnstone
They flip the script — literally!
Gould’s petrel
Can produce a rich oil that’s perfect for feeding chicks on long trips (high energy, easy to carry)
Phoenix petrel
Often less likely to follow boats, which is one reason they’re easy to miss
White-necked petrel
Known for their fast, direct flight, unlike the slow gliding of larger seabirds
Samoa flying fox
Often flies in the early morning and late afternoon, so you can actually see it in daylight
Pacific flying fox
Its face really does look like a small dog or fox with big dark eyes and pointy ears
Yellowfin tuna
Popular food fish, prized for its mild flavor and firm texture
Pantropical spotted dolphin
A champion swimmer and a social butterfly of the warm seas
Brown noddy
They bob their heads up and down as they fly, which is actually how they earned the nickname “Noddy”
Common bottlenose dolphin
Known for their acrobatic leaps, twisting and turning gracefully as they jump completely out of the water
Snowy egret
In the late 1800s, a single ounce of its feathers could be worth more than gold
Tiger shark
They eat almost anything that comes their way – you name it, they’ll try to snack on it!
Shortfin mako shark
Speed and power embodied, they rule the seas with their sleek bodies and jaw-dropping leaping prowess
Basking shark
Majestic giants of the sea, they peacefully glide through the ocean with mouths agape, filtering the waters for sustenance
Blacktip reef shark
Graceful and stealthy, these reef dwellers navigate the coral maze with finesse, showcasing their iconic black-tipped fins
Oceanic whitetip shark
Opportunistic predators of the open ocean, their aggressive and persistent feeding behaviour strikes fear into the hearts of their prey
Bull shark
Fearless and formidable, these aggressive predators command respect in the waters they roam
Whale shark
Gentle giants of the sea, with mouths wide open to filter the ocean’s bounty
Great white shark
Majestic ocean predators, embodying power, speed, and precision in their pursuit of prey
Hawksbill sea turtle
Its slender frame and narrow head bear a beak curved like a hawk’s, earning this marine marvel its name
Emperor angelfish
As it grows older, it undergoes a metamorphosis that is nothing short of extraordinary
Green humphead parrotfish
With a robust body adorned in iridescent hues of emerald and turquoise, it is an underwater jewel that dazzles the eye
Brown booby
An impressively acrobatic bird that can catch flying fish mid-jump
Great frigatebird
These birds spend weeks in the air and hunt, preen and even sleep while in flight
Barn owl
The most cosmopolitan of owls with home ranges extending across the globe
Red-footed booby
Goofy-looking yet evolutionarily refined for life above the waves
Wilsons storm petrel
This species is found in all world oceans except the north Pacific Ocean
Red-tailed tropicbird
They dance along with their gorgeous red tails to attract partners in a faithful courtship
White-tailed tropicbird
These ocean wanderers can be spotted from a distance showing awe-inspiring aerial tricks
Leatherback sea turtle
The mysterious diver of the ocean is the largest and only sea turtle without a hard shell and scales
Green sea turtle
Largest hard-shelled sea turtle on earth












































