Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
WILDLIFE ON LAND
Mammals
Very few of the land mammals that make their home in the Virgin Islands are natives. Most
mammal species have been accidentally or intentionally introduced over the centuries. Vir-
tually every island has a feral population of goats and burros, and some islands have wild
pigs, white-tailed deer, cattle, horses, cats and dogs - all descendants of domestic animals
abandoned to the jungle eons ago. St John and Anegada are the most likely places to see
such critters.
Other prevalent land mammals a visitor might encounter are the mongoose and numerous
bat species. The mongoose was introduced to control the rat population in the days of the
sugarcane plantations and has since overrun the islands.
Snakes, Lizards & Frogs
The Virgins are home to just a few species of snake - none of which are poisonous - includ-
ing the Virgin Island tree boa. A host of small and not-so-small lizards scurry around, includ-
ing the 5ft-long rock iguanas of Anegada and the common green iguana found throughout
the islands. Anoles (aka chameleons) and gecko lizards are ubiquitous. That little guy crawl-
ing up your hotel wall is probably a house gecko; it hangs near outdoor lights because it likes
to feast on the insects that congregate there. Numerous toad and frog species hop through
the Virgins, such as the piping frog and the giant toad (aka cane toad), which can grow up to
10 inches and secretes a poisonous white venom.
Don't know your brown booby from your pie-billed grebe? Check out
A Guide to the Birds of Puerto Rico &
the Virgin Islands,
by Herbert Raffaelle.
Birds & Insects
The bananaquit, or 'yellow bird,' is the Virgins' official flyer. The coastal dry forest features
more than 100 bird species, largely songbirds. Some of these are migratory fowl, such as the
