Islas San Benito facts for kids
The Islas San Benito are a group of three small islands in the Pacific Ocean. They are located off the west coast of Baja California, a state in Mexico. These islands are about 25 kilometers (15 miles) west of Cedros Island. They are part of the Cedros Island area, which belongs to the Ensenada municipality in Baja California.
The islands are mostly dry and rocky, without many trees. Their total area is about 3.9 square kilometers (1.5 square miles). They are surrounded by rocks and patches of seaweed called kelp. In 2001, a count showed that only two people lived on Benito del Oeste (West Benito). The other two islands have no people living on them.
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Exploring the San Benito Islands
What are the Islands Like?
Benito del Oeste (West Benito) is the largest island, covering about 2.6 square kilometers (1 square mile). It is also the most western island of the group. This island looks like a flat area with a small hill in the middle. This hill rises about 202 meters (663 feet) high.
There are two lighthouses on West Benito. A small lighthouse, 4 meters (13 feet) tall, stands in the southern part. The main lighthouse is much taller, at 17 meters (56 feet), and has a building next to it. It is located near the northwest end of the island. West of Benito del Oeste, about 1.6 kilometers (1 mile) away, are two very steep rocks called Rocas Pinaculo.
Benito del Centro (Central Benito) is about 0.4 square kilometers (0.15 square miles) in size 28°18′30″N 115°33′54″W / 28.30833°N 115.56500°W. Benito del Este (East Benito) is about 0.9 square kilometers (0.35 square miles) 28°18′03″N 115°32′25″W / 28.30083°N 115.54028°W. These two islands are close to Benito del Oeste. They are separated by a deep, narrow passage called Canal de Peck, which is only about 65 meters (213 feet) wide.
East Benito has four clear hills, with the tallest reaching about 140 meters (459 feet) high. Central Benito is mostly flat and low. It has one small hill, about 25 meters (82 feet) high, near its eastern end.
Plants and Animals of the Islands
The plants on the Islas San Benito are mostly low shrubs and small herbs. You can also find some large cacti here, like Cylindropuntia prolifera and C. ramosissima.
There are not many land animals on the islands. There are no native mammals, meaning no mammals that naturally live there. Birds are quite common, even though the islands are barren. This is because many birds come here to breed. For example, Cassin's auklet is very common during its breeding season.
Unique Species: Endemism
Because the Islas San Benito are far away from other land, some special kinds of plants and animals have evolved here. These species are called endemic, meaning they are found only on these islands and nowhere else in the world.
Animals:
- San Benito side-blotched lizard, Uta stansburiana stellata
- San Benito house finch, Carpodacus mexicanus mcgregori – This bird is now extinct.
- It disappeared around the 1940s. Sadly, it died out mainly because too many were caught by people collecting animal specimens.
- San Benito sparrow, Passerculus rostratus sanctorum (or Passerculus sandwichensis sanctorum)
Plants:
- Cryptantha patula – Found only on West Benito
- Dudleya linearis – Found only on West Benito
- Hemizonia streetsii – Found on West and East Benito
- Malva pacifica – Found on all three islands
- Mammillaria neopalmeri – Found on West and East Benito
- Senecio benedictus – Found only on West Benito
See also
In Spanish: Islas San Benito para niños
