Beyond Giant Tortoises: 10 Overlooked Wildlife of Seychelles
Go beyond giant tortoises and explore Seychelles’ hidden wildlifefrom rare parrots to fruit bats and carnivorous plants wild, witty, and unforgettable.
October 22, 2025 at 2:53:02 PM
May 15, 2026 at 7:03:26 PM
🕒 24 min read
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A Hawksbill sea turtle glides through the clear waters off Seychelles one of the few places on Earth where these critically endangered beauties still nest in daylight.
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.
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