It’s not uncommon for ecosystems isolated to islands to become home to a strange assortment of creatures. Charles Darwin marveled at the strange species he and his crew members discovered in 1832 on the Galapagos Islands – giant tortoises and iguanas were not like any creatures they’d seen before. In the late 1890s, a rare species of flightless wren ran around on Stephens Island near New Zealand – until a house cat named Tibbles managed to end  the poor bird species – which was isolated to that island – within a year. Here’s a handy chart my husband made that will help sort some of these things out for you:

Make special note of “Do I live on just one island?” It’s an important plot point!

The Falkland Islands off the coast of South America are also home to a strange assortment of creatures – including five different species of penguins and some of the largest albatross colonies on the planet. Fur seals, elephant seals also call the Falklands home, as well as 63 species of land birds. So many penguins!

The Falklands have been described as treeless – though there is no mention of the islands being covered with bird poop – you should probably watch your step if you visit them!