* Due to the shortage of mammals (and birds of prey) in New Zealand, the Kea, one of the world's larger parrots, evolved into something resembling a sheep-mutilating, flying raccoon: an optimistic omnivore, whose intelligence is demonstrated by their ability to learn to open trash cans by observing others.

* Inbreeding (enforced by local legislation) means that most of the inhabitants of Tristan da Cunha suffer from severe congenital asthma?