are only a few species of native land animals on Ua Huka, mainly insects, lizards, land birds and spiders. The island has given its name to a genus of spiders endemic to the Marquesas, which belongs to the canopy spider family (Linyphiidae). This is due to two main factors: the drier climate and the large number of goats and horses that graze freely there, contributing to deforestation. Ua Huka is also known as the "horse island" and it is said that there are more horses than people on the island. The number of horses and goats is said to be around 3,000. Life is richer around the island: giant tortoises in Haavei Bay, sharks, dolphins, manta rays and thousands of seabirds live on the islets. In particular, Hemeni and Teuaua, also known as the "bird islands", are home to a large colony of terns. The Polynesian Ornithological Society "MANU" lists 35 species of birds on Ua Huka, 16 marine and 17 terrestrial, 8 of which are endemic. Its forests also contain the last specimens of the Iphis monarch, a small passerine bird. There are six endemic and critically endangered landbird species in Ua Huka: Iphis monarch (Pomarea iphis) Marquesas warbler (Acrocephalus mendanae) Marquesas salangana (Callocalia ocista) Marquesas pigeon (Ducula galeata) Ultramarine lorikeet pihiti (Vini ultramarina) White-headed fruit pigeon (Ptilinopus dupetithouarsii) As for large animals, there are only species introduced by man: horses, goats and feral pigs. Administration Administratively Ua Huka forms the commune (municipality) of Ua-Huka, part of the administrative subdivision of the Marquesas Islands. This commune consists solely of the island of Ua Huka itself. The administrative centre of the commune is the settlement of Hane. Demography The people of Ua Huka live on the south coast in the villages of Vaipaee, Hane and Hokatu. These three villages are part of the commune of Ua Huka. The island had 584 inhabitants in the 2002 census, a number that increased to 678 inhabitants according to 2017 figures, 13 living mainly in the villages of Vaipae and Hane. Population growth is one of the lowest in the Marquesas, mainly due to emigration. As there is no secondary school on the island, young people are forced to leave at a very young age, first to Nuku Hiva and then to Papeete for higher education. Many do not return to Ua Huka afterwards. Languages The languages spoken on Ua Huka are mainly French