South Pacific

A closer look into the blue will reveal a scattering of islands, from the Tropics to the sub-Antartic waters of the Southern Ocean.

The ultimate castaways, from saltwater crocodiles and giant eels to crested iguanas, overcome great odds to reach islands thousands of miles apart.

The violent eruption of underwater volcanoes produce coral reefs that support large groups of grey reef sharks and giant manta rays; strange creatures including the vampire bug and megapode -- a bird that uses volcanic springs to incubate its eggs.

With flightless parrots, burrowing bats, giant skinks and kangaroos in trees, wildlife has evolved in extraordinary ways on the isolated islands of the South Pacific.