ANIMAL VOYAGERS

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12199, 25 July 1925, Page 16

ANIMAL VOYAGERS

NEWMJEB ON KRAKATAO. Krakatao, tho -volcanic island which exploded in 1883 and destroyed all life on itself and a neighbouring island, is once more becoming inhabited by several* species of mammals, reptiles, and wingless insects. The two islands were buried under hot ashes to a depth of 200 ft. For weeks the cover, of embers glowed, and when it cooled down to ordinary temperatures not a living thing could' be found.Twenty to 30 miles away there was a rich flora and fauna. Vegetation 'was the first to come and stay, for animal life depends upon vegetable life, and if any animals did come before the vegetation arrived it is certain they perished of starvation. Flying animals came next. In 1908, 25 years after the disaster, the python and a lizard had come; but these are food swimmers; and no terrestrial animals had yet arrived. But by 1921 rats had reached the island and spread all oVer it. while there were two kinds. of geckos—little land lizards—as well as 11 species of wingless insects, four species of centipedes, and 73 species of spiders. 'The spiders—at least some of them—were probably drifted out bn strands of gossamer. The others may have crossed, by means of driftwood* All these facts were discovered through the -work of Dr. hammerman, of the Buitzenzorg Museum (Buitzenzorg, Java), who for years has been< watching the re- ; habitation of Krakatao and Verlaten after their animal and vegetable, life were obliterated by the great volcanic explosion of 1883.