Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The Woodland Trail , just under a mile long, is a must-see for anyone in-
terested in Cayman plants. Budget at least half an hour for the walk. More
time will allow you to read the informative exhibits and look for turtles in
the swampy undergrowth. Stop and listen for the call of a Cayman parrot
in the trees.
The trail winds through several types of environments. One of the wettest
is a swamp filled with buttonwood, one of the few trees that can live with
its roots continually submerged in water. The swamp provides humidity
for bromeliads and orchids. On the other end of the spectrum, cactus coun-
try illustrates the dry regions of the Cayman Islands, and it's home to large
century plants (agave) and cacti. One habitat is similar to that found on Lit-
tle Cayman and includes flora found on the tiny sister island.
Birders should bring along binoculars for this walk. Commonly seen spe-
cies include the Grand Cayman parrot, the northern flicker, vitelline war-
bler (a small yellowish bird found only in the Cayman Islands and on Swan
Island), the zenaida dove, and the bananaquit.
Butterflies are another common sight. The caterpillars of the Cayman
swallowtail ( Papilio andraemontaibri ) feed on lime trees; the white pea-
cock ( Anarte jatrophae jamaicensis ) is the most commonly spotted along
the trail.
Watch the shadowy undergrowth and you may spot some of Grand
Cayman's most reticent residents as well. The agouti (Dasyprocta punc-
tata ), a shy rodent, is occasionally seen. Other residents include the hicka-
tee ( Trachemys decussata ), a freshwater turtle found in the brackish ponds
of the Cayman Islands and Cuba. The Grand Cayman blue iguana ( Cyclu-
ra Nubila Lewisi ) or the Cayman anole lizard ( Anolis conspersus ), with a
blue throat pouch, are also seen. Grass snakes ( Alsophis cantherigerus )
feed on frogs and lizards, but are harmless to humans.
After a walk along the Woodland Trail, take time to visit the beautiful
showplace gardens (see Sightseeing , page 145). The park is open 9 am to
5:30 pm daily. Admission is US $7.50 for adults, US $5 for kids 6-12, and
children under age six are free.
Silver Thatch Excursions ,
345-945-6588, fax 345-949-3342, silvert@
hotmail.com also offers guided hikes through the Queen Elizabeth II Bo-
tanic Park along either an historic or an environmental route. Both routes
are priced at US $45 per person and include admission to the Botanic
Park.
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