Beyond Giant Tortoises: 10 Overlooked Wildlife of Seychelles

Seychelles’ giant tortoises get all the fame living dinosaur vibes and 150-year lifespans tend to steal the spotlight. But beyond those slow-moving celebrities, these islands hide a whole cast of quirky, lesser-known creatures. Think stealthy parrots, “vampire” trees, and bats the size of seagulls. This Indian Ocean paradise boasts dozens of endemic species found nowhere else.

So slip off that sun lounger and venture into the wild side of Seychelles. From forest canopies to coral reefs, here are eight overlooked wildlife encounters that will earn you serious bragging rights and a newfound love for Seychelles beyond the beach.

Ready for a wild island adventure? 

Pack your binoculars (and bug spray), embrace your inner Attenborough, and get set to meet the Seychellois critters and curiosities that put the “wild” in wildlife. We’re talking about experiences as unforgettable as any sunset on Beau Vallon. Let’s dive in, one awesome animal (or plant) at a time, with local tips to help you spot each all served with a side of that trademark Time Out sass.

1. Praslin’s “Black” Parrots in a Coco de Mer Forest

Moody, mysterious, and only found in Praslin’s primeval palm jungles, the Seychelles Black Parrot is a diva that prefers to stay incognito. Ironically, this national bird isn’t black at all more like a smoky brown, perfectly camouflaged in the Vallée de Mai rainforest.

Fewer than a thousand exist, flitting around the palms and letting out the occasional sharp whistle from above. Catching a glimpse is like finding Bigfoot: these shy parrots blend into the shadows of giant Coco de Mer fronds. But if you do hear a sudden peep overhead, pause you might just spot a rare feathery silhouette watching you from the canopy.

Like this rare scene from @visitseychelles six elusive Black Parrots caught snacking in a palm tree on Praslin. These sleek island icons are as endemic and as attitude-filled as it gets. And they’re just the beginning. From vampire plants and sky-surfing bats to underwater giants, here’s your guide to Seychelles’ wildest residents you’ve probably never heard of.

Where & how:

Head to Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve on Praslin, a UNESCO-listed “Garden of Eden” famous for its Coco de Mer palms (and those suggestively shaped nuts). Go at dawn when the forest is hushed; early morning birdwatching tours have the best odds of coaxing out a parrot or two.

Entry isn’t cheap at about SCR 450 (≈ $30) per adult, but it funds vital conservation. Local tip: hire a knowledgeable guide at the gate (around SCR 100, ~$7) who knows the parrots’ favorite fruit trees. With some patience and a bit of luck you’ll witness Praslin’s “brown” parrots flying free. Trust us, that moment a rare parrot swoops overhead is pure island magic.

2. La Digue’s Widow-Maker: Paradise Flycatchers

Serving gothic elegance with a hint of drama, the Seychelles Paradise Flycatcher flaunts a tail longer than its whole body. The locals dub it “Veuve” (widow) because the all-black males look like Victorian widows in mourning albeit widows with ridiculously long tail feathers.

These stunners nearly flapped off into extinction (down to maybe 30 birds at one point), but thanks to heroic conservation they’ve bounced back to a few hundred now.

Most still haunt the forests of La Digue island, where they flit among takamaka trees and swoop low to snatch insects mid-air. Catching a glimpse of a male flycatcher dancing through sunbeams tail ribbons trailing behind is like spotting a tiny flying goth concert.

Where & how: 

La Digue’s Veuve Nature Reserve is the go-to for a rendezvous with this “widow” bird. This modest patch of woodland sits near La Digue’s L’Union area and protects the flycatcher’s last stronghold. Pop in at sunrise when these divas are most vocal you might hear a raspy tsk-tsk call before seeing them. Bring binoculars and look for a flash of inky black or chestnut (females are brown).

Entry is only SCR 150 (~$10) for visitors, which includes a peek at the tiny info center. Pro tip: ask the ranger to point out the flycatchers’ favorite kapok trees. If you’re lucky, you’ll witness a courting pair doing acrobatic loops through the air the fanciest aerial love show in the Seychelles. Not bad for an animal smaller than a soda can!

3. Cousin Island’s Comeback Kid: Seychelles Magpie Robin

Meet the bold little songbird that went from nearly zero to national hero. The Seychelles Magpie Robin is a dapper black-and-white bird with a cheeky personality it literally hops around your feet and poses as if it owns the place. Back in 1965, only 16 of these robins were left on Earth, all clinging to one predator-free islet.

They call it the “comeback kid” of Seychelles and with good reason. Once down to barely a dozen birds, the Seychelles Magpie Robin has clawed its way back from extinction’s edge. On Fregate Island, this glossy black-and-white songbird now struts through forest trails like it owns the place proof that conservation miracles really do sing.

Now, after intense conservation efforts, over 500 thrive across several islands. Talk about a comeback! On tiny Cousin Island (their main hangout), magpie robins act like your personal welcoming committee: warbling unique songs and following visitors along jungle paths hoping we’ll stir up tasty insects for them. One might even tug your shoelace if you stand still these feathered fellas have zero shame when it comes to begging for bug snacks.

Where & how: 

Cousin Island Special Reserve, just 2 km off Praslin, is the spot to meet these avian celebrities. It’s only accessible by guided tour a 15-minute boat ride brings you to what feels like a lost world of birds.

The reserve strictly controls visitor numbers, and there’s a SCR 600 (~$45) conservation fee per head  (cash only, so stash those rupees!). A park ranger will lead you around; stick close as they know each robin by “name” (some wear colored bands). You’ll likely see magpie robins hop right up to you on the trail or even land on an outstretched hand with no predators around, they’re utterly fearless.

Local tip:

wear sturdy shoes and insect repellent (Cousin’s mosquitos are also enthusiastic greeters). By tour’s end, you’ll have a new appreciation for this once-endangered bird and possibly a robin BFF for life.

4. Flying Foxes at Dusk: Seychelles Fruit Bats

When twilight falls in the Seychelles, look up those “birds” silhouetted against the pink sky are actually megabats on the move. The Seychelles Flying Fox (a fruit bat) is the islands’ only native mammal, sporting a foxy little face and a 1.2 m wingspan.

Basically, picture a golden retriever-size bat gliding overhead like a kite. By day they snooze in treetops, hanging upside down like umbrellas; by night they glide out in squadrons to raid fruit trees.

When dusk falls over Seychelles, the real sky show begins and no, it’s not the sunset. Those swooping silhouettes above the palms?

Meet the Seychelles fruit bat, a furry, golden-faced pollinator that keeps the islands’ forests blooming. Equal parts adorable and chaotic, these “flying foxes” are the islands’ unsung gardeners just don’t leave your mangoes unattended.

Locals have a love-hate thing with these guys: they’re vital pollinators for island plants, but they also help themselves to mangoes and guavas with zero remorse. (Fun fact: fruit bat curry is a traditional dish in Seychelles though these days you’re more likely to shoot them with a camera than see them on a menu.)

Where & how:

Honestly, almost anywhere at sundown. Park yourself on Beau Vallon beach on Mahé or by a La Digue coconut grove around 6:00 pm cocktail in hand and enjoy the free wildlife show above. You’ll see the bats emerge in twos and threes, flapping lazily across the orange sky. It’s a bit eerie, a bit awe-inspiring, and 100% Seychellois.

Cost? Absolutely free (though a cold Seybrew beer at a beach bar will run you ~SCR 60/$4 worth it to complete the vibe). If you’re keen to see them up close by day, head to the Victoria Botanical Gardens or any big fig tree; you might spot dozens of furry bat buddies napping in a cluster. Just don’t stand directly under them unless you want a surprise “shower”. 😉

Local tip:

These “flying foxes” are harmless they want fruit, not blood, so relax and admire their sunset sky surfing. It’s island life at its finest.

5. Katiti on the Hunt: Seychelles Kestrel

This pint-sized predator packs more swagger than a bull eagle ten times its size. The Seychelles Kestrel, known as Katiti in Creole, is the islands’ only native bird of prey.

How tiny are we talking?

About 20 cm tall small enough to fit in your hand yet this falcon doesn’t let size stop it from ruling the skies. You’ll often see a katiti perched proudly on telephone poles or breadfruit trees, scanning for geckos and skinks to snatch up for dinner.

Unlike other kestrels, our island version doesn’t bother with the whole hovering thing; it prefers a swift dive-bomb attack. They even skip building nests, sometimes crashing in on somebody else’s abandoned tree hole or under house eaves like a true millennial. Small bird, big boss energy.

Where & how: 

You’ve got the best chance on Mahé, the largest island. Keep your eyes peeled around the outskirts of Victoria and the forested slopes of Morne Seychellois National Park. Listen for a sharp “kee-kee-kee” call echoing off the granite cliffs that’s a katiti announcing its territory. There’s no fee or tour required for this adventure (Mother Nature doesn’t charge, darling), so you can wander hiking trails or even around your hotel grounds with binoculars on standby.

If you’re a keen birder, consider hiring a local guide (~SCR 800 or $55 for a half day) who can whistle the kestrel’s call; these curious raptors often swoop in if they think another katiti is intruding. True story: one pair even nested in the Victoria airport rafters, giving a few lucky travelers a wildlife welcome!

Local tip:

patience. Take a seat by a clearing and watch the treetops spotting this mini falcon on its throne is immensely satisfying, like finding a rare Pokémon in the wild.

6. Gentle Giants of the Reef: Whale Sharks

Yes, you read that right the world’s largest fish makes an annual appearance in Seychelles, and surprisingly few visitors know about it. Whale sharks (which are actually colossal, polka-dotted sharks, not whales) cruise through these turquoise waters each year to feed on plankton. Come the peak season around October to December, these gentle behemoths are often spotted near Mahé and the inner islands.

As @visitseychelles perfectly captured, few island moments beat spotting a whale shark gliding beneath your boat. Locals call this gentle giant Sagren  a plankton-loving leviathan that drifts through Seychelles’ cobalt waters between September and November. One moment you’re snapping selfies on deck, the next you’re staring down a twelve-meter masterpiece of nature, polka-dotted and peaceful, reminding everyone who really rules these waters.

Imagine snorkeling and suddenly seeing a 10-meter spotted giant gliding by heart-poundingly thrilling, yet strangely peaceful as they’re filter-feeders that couldn’t care less about puny humans.

Seychelles authorities even put out advisories when whale sharks arrive, reminding boaters to go slow and not play bumper cars with our big visitors. It’s basically an open-invite whale shark party in the Indian Ocean, and you’re invited to crash it (respectfully).

Where & how: 

Base yourself on Mahé during whale shark season (October–November is a sure bet). Beau Vallon Bay on Mahé’s northwest coast is the hub for whale shark excursions, with licensed dive operators heading out almost daily in peak months.

Sign up for a snorkeling tour around SCR 1500–2000 per person (≈ $100–$135) for a half-day boat trip with gear. It’s a splurge, but how often do you get to swim alongside a spotted giant?

Tours usually start with a briefing on shark etiquette: no touching, no chasing, just gentle observing. If you’d rather stay dry, sometimes you can even spot whale sharks from viewpoints or while ferry-hopping between islands (look for dark shadows near the surface). But nothing beats slipping into the water with them. As you float alongside a whale shark, watching it sweep majestically through the blue, you’ll feel positively tiny and utterly humbled.

Local tip: 

Bring a GoPro or at least an underwater camera (and a buddy to snap your photo) because your friends will demand proof of that time you swam with a 30-foot fish. And always listen to your guide these sharks are harmless, but good ocean manners keep both you and the animals safe.

7. Daytime Nesters: Hawksbill Sea Turtles

Many tropical destinations boast about sea turtles, but in Seychelles you might literally share the beach with one. The critically endangered Hawksbill turtle is an island VIP that comes ashore to nest in surprising daylight hours no night-vision goggles needed here.

Picture this: you’re lounging on the soft sands of Anse Lazio or wandering a quiet cove, and up waddles a 150-pound mama turtle, flippers flying sand everywhere as she digs a nest. Hawksbills lay eggs on Seychelles’ beaches from roughly September to March (peaking around November-January), and thanks to strict protection, they’re pretty relaxed about human onlookers.

It’s a jaw-dropping sight ancient instincts on display and most casual travelers don’t realize it can happen during their afternoon beach picnic!

As @tbo.academy reminds us, Seychelles isn’t just a postcard it’s a full-blown tropical playground. Think snorkelling between coral gardens, hopping from island to island, and watching turtles nest under a pink dusk sky. With easy visa-free entry and a rhythm that runs on island time, it’s little wonder travellers keep falling for this Indian Ocean beauty.

Where & how:

For the best chance, visit protected sanctuaries or quieter beaches where turtles feel safe. Cousin Island and Curieuse Island (both near Praslin) are turtle nesting hotbeds join a guided excursion to these islands, where wardens will lead you to recent nests and maybe a sighting of a turtle laying eggs or hatchlings scampering to sea. Curieuse has an entry fee of SCR 300 (~$20), often included in island-hopping tours that also stop to see giant tortoises (two wildlife treats in one!).

On Praslin itself, keep an eye on Anse Georgette and Anse Lazio in the early morning or late afternoon. If you spot tracks or a big turtle, give her plenty of space she’s on a mission. Many resorts have turtle liaison programs; ask your hotel if they do turtle-watch calls for guests.

Local tip: Never disturb a nesting turtle or her nest. No flash photography at night, no touching hatchlings (no matter how cute!). If you’re lucky to witness a daytime nesting, maintain a respectful distance and savor the natural wonder quietly.

And yes, do the turtle a solid by covering up your own sandcastle pits before you leave the beach baby turtles can get trapped in our mess. Seeing a hawksbill up close, in broad daylight, is a once-in-a-lifetime memory that’ll make you forget all about those fame-hogging tortoises.

8. Carnivorous Plants on Copolia Trail

Who knew Seychelles had its own little “Little Shop of Horrors” lurking in the mountains? High up on Mahé’s granite peaks grows the Seychelles Pitcher Plant  a carnivorous cutie that snacks on insects. That’s right, amid the postcard palms and beaches, the islands hide an Agatha Christie-level plot twist: plants that eat bugs.

These endemic pitcher plants (Nepenthes pervillei) sprout tiny mottled green-and-red “pitchers” that fill with digestive juice to trap unsuspecting ants and flies. Hikers often stroll right past them, mistaking them for odd little flowers, until a guide points out the telltale mini “cup” full of yesterday’s bug buffet. It’s equal parts gruesome and cool definitely an overlooked natural wonder in a tropical paradise better known for fauna than flora.

As @greengenerationseychelles shows, not everything that bites in Seychelles has teeth. Meet the Seychelles Pitcher Plant, a rare little carnivore that snacks on unsuspecting insects instead of tourists. Endemic to the granite peaks of Mahé and Silhouette, this neon-green trap is part science fiction, part survival story proof that even paradise hides a few hungry secrets.

Where & how: 

The easiest way to meet these insect-eating plants is to hike the Copolia Trail on Mahé. This popular trail (about 45 minutes uphill) winds through jungle to a panoramic rocky summit and it’s here on the exposed granite ledges that pitcher plants bask in the sun. Look down near your hiking boots: those little green cups with lids are the carnivores in question.

No park entry fee required; this adventure is on Mother Nature’s house. Just bring water, sunscreen, and decent shoes. A guided hike can be arranged (expect ~SCR 500 or $35 for a half-day group trek), but if you’re moderately fit, you can DIY the trail is well-marked.

As you near the top, move slowly and keep your eyes peeled at ground level so you don’t accidentally step on these rare plants. They tend to cluster in patches, silently gobbling bugs while offering you a great excuse to catch your breath.

Local tip: 

Don’t poke your finger into the liquid (eww, not coconut water!). Instead, crouch and gently lift a pitcher to peek inside you might see a few trapped insects awaiting digestion. Bragging rights unlocked: not many can say they’ve high-fived (figuratively) a carnivorous plant in the wild. Plus, the 360° island view from Copolia is absolutely worth the sweat. Reward yourself after the hike with a fresh coconut or a Seybrew at the trailhead, you’ve earned it.

The Takeaway: Wild Encounters > Souvenir T-shirts

There you have it eight wild reasons to peel yourself away from the infinity pool and discover the untamed soul of Seychelles. Sure, giant tortoises are awesome, but now you’ve tracked down stealthy parrots, ogled goth-looking birds, chilled with bats, and even said hello to a tree that eats bugs. Not your average beach holiday, huh? The key to these encounters is going a bit beyond the usual tourist trail: hire local guides for the hidden gems, venture to lesser-known islands, and always respect Mother Nature’s ground rules (no petting, feeding or harassing the wildlife even if that Coco de Mer nut really looks like it needs a squeeze).

Think like a savvy islander: pack binoculars, wear comfy shoes, and keep a few rupees handy for park fees or post-hike sundowners. Early mornings and late afternoons are your best friend for wildlife spotting (animals have schedules too, you know).

And don’t forget to simply slow down  Seychelles may be small, but it’s bursting with life if you take the time to look. So next time you’re in this tropical paradise, go beyond the selfie with a tortoise. From making eye contact with a friendly magpie robin to swimming alongside a spotted giant, these are the moments that turn a trip into a story you’ll be telling for years.

Trust your local friend here: this beats any cheesy souvenir T-shirt.

Happy exploring, and may your Seychelles adventures be wild and wonderful