Morrillito facts for kids
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Isla Morrillito, looking south from the Caja de Muertos Light
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 Morrillito
Location in Puerto Rico
Morrillito
Location in Lesser Antilles
Morrillito
Location in Caribbean
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| Geography | |
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| Location | Ponce, Puerto Rico |
| Coordinates | 17°52′56″N 66°31′59″W / 17.88222°N 66.53306°W |
| Area | 0.04 km2 (0.015 sq mi) |
| Administration | |
| Commonwealth | Puerto Rico |
| Municipality | Ponce |
| Barrio | Playa |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 0 |
| Pop. density | 0 /km2 (0 /sq mi) |
Morrillito is a small island near the southern coast of Puerto Rico. No one lives on the island. It is a special place because it is part of the Reserva Natural Caja de Muertos (Caja de Muertos Natural Reserve). This reserve helps protect the turtles that live and nest there.
Morrillito is one of seven islands that belong to the city of Ponce. The other islands are Caja de Muertos, Gatas, Ratones, Cardona, Isla del Frio, and Isla de Jueyes.
Where is Morrillito Island Located?
Morrillito is about 5.2 miles (8.4 kilometers) south of the main island of Puerto Rico. It is part of the Playa area, which is a ward of the Ponce municipality.
The island is very close to Caja de Muertos island, only about 590 feet (180 meters) away from its southwest tip. Morrillito is quite small, covering an area of just 0.015 square miles (0.04 square kilometers). Shallow waters, about 18 feet (5.49 meters) deep, connect Morrillito to Caja de Muertos.
What is the Geography and Climate Like?
Morrillito is a flat-topped island that rises about 31 feet (9.4 meters) above the sea. It is located about 200 yards (183 meters) off the southwestern tip of Caja de Muertos. From a distance, Morrillito can look similar to a 170-foot (52-meter) tall hill on Caja de Muertos called Cerro Morrillo.
The climate on Morrillito is dry. Because of this, the island is home to a special type of forest called a dry forest.
Why is Morrillito a Nature Reserve?
Morrillito is part of the Caja de Muertos Natural Reserve, along with Caja de Muertos (which is 0.59 square miles or 1.54 square kilometers) and Berberia Key (0.12 square miles or 0.30 square kilometers).
This area became a protected nature reserve in 1980. This decision was made to protect the island's wildlife and natural environment. The main reason for its protection is the large number of Hawksbill sea turtles that visit the island. These turtles are an endangered species, meaning they are at risk of disappearing forever. Protecting Morrillito helps these special turtles survive.
