9781422286265

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The Land

The warm waters of the Caribbean, and the variety of marine life that can be found there, make the islands popular among scuba divers.

spot squawking macaws lounging in a rain forest, purple-throated hum- mingbirds flitting among flowers, or pink flamingos striding across a lagoon. Unfortunately, many creatures are endangered by hunting and the destruction of natural habitats. Hawksbill turtles are hunted for their shells. The Puerto Rican parrot’s habitat has been reduced by deforestation. Conservation groups are working to preserve these species, and others, from extinction. Many animals that are commonplace on the Caribbean islands today— for example, cows, horses, and pigs—were introduced to the islands by European colonizers 500 years ago.