Reptiles
At over four feet from the end of the nose to the
tip of the tail, the green iguana is the largest
lizard in the Virgin Islands.
  Green Iguana (Iguana iguana)
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 Juvenile Green Iguana
These peaceful animals are vegetarians that
typically graze on leaves and flowers, but can
include a wide range of foods in their diet,
especially as juveniles.
Like the red-legged tortoise, it is believed that
green iguanas were brought from South
America by Amerindians who used them
as food. Today, most Virgin Islanders would
balk at iguana on the dinner menu.
Non-confrontational by nature, iguanas
can be quite formidable when cornered.
They can deliver a painful bite or strike with
a whip-like motion of their roughened tails.
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Small relatives of the green iguana, anoles are perhaps the most commonly observed reptile in the Virgin Islands. These lizards eat insects and are typically territorial. They can often be found in the same locations from day to day, sometimes even within peoples' homes. Anoles signal to each other by extending the dewlap (the colorful flap of skin beneath the chin). Anoles use this to impress members of the opposite sex and to intimidate intruders in the lizard's territory.
 Grass Anole (Anolis pulchellus)
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 Crested Anole (Anolis cristatellus)
 Barred Anole (Anolis stratulus)
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Cotton Ginners are small geckos that can
be found hunting insects in leaf litter and
under debris. They are one of the smallest
lizard species in the world.
Although they are very abundant in the
Virgin Islands and active during the day,
they are not commonly seen due to their
small size ( 1 - 2 inches) and secretive ways.
 Cotton Ginner (Sphaerodactylus macrolepis)
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 Cotton Ginner (S. macrolepis)
Unlike other lizards, geckos do not have
eyelids. Like snakes, the eyes are protected
by clear scales, which the gecko licks to clean.
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Originally from Africa, it is believed that woodslaves
came to the Virgin Islands by traveling on ships
that carried slaves.
These geckos are experts at catching insects
and can be frequently be found crawling on walls
near lights at night and eating the insects that the
lights attract.
Woodslaves are able to cling to smooth surfaces
by having scales on their feet which are edged with tiny hooks. These hooks grasp the smallest
irregularities. The females lay small round eggs
with hard white shells that are often found
behind furniture and books or in other dark corners
around the house.
 Woodslave catching a moth
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  Woodslave (Hemidactylus mabouia)
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Ground lizards are typically active during the hottest times of day. They are most often found in open areas in bright sunlight near man-made structures. They eat a variety of foods such as insects, small frogs and lizards, carrion, and fruits. They typically reach a total length of about one to two feet.
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 Ground Lizard (Ameiva exsul)
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  Ground Snake (Arrhyton exiguus)
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 Like all species of snake in the Virgin Islands, the ground snake is non-venomous and harmless to humans. Ground snakes are especially tame and rarely bite, even when caught by people or house cats. The snakes grow to over a foot in length and eat frogs and small lizards, as well as their eggs. Females lay 6 - 18 eggs in protected areas, such as loose soil beneath logs.
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Also known as worm snakes, blind snakes are
secretive Virgin Islands residents.
They resemble large worms five to ten inches
in length. Their name can be misleading, for
although their eyes are very small, they are
quite well developed. These harmless snakes
spend most of their lives underground.
Their teeth are greatly reduced and they feed
A blind snake feeds by crushing an insect,
releasing the juices into the mouth, then
discarding the solid part of the meal.
Although they can be common in moist areas,
these snakes are rarely observed due to their
choice of habitat, relatively small size, and
nondescript appearance.
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 Blind Snake (Typhlops richardii)
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 Red-legged tortoise (Geochelone carbonaria)
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Known also as morocoy, the red-legged tortoise is the only non-marine turtle native to the Virgin Islands. It occurs throughout much of tropical South America as well as many islands in the Lesser Antilles. It is believed that the tortoise originated in South America and was spread throughout the Caribbean by Amerindians who kept tortoises as pets and food. It's meat is still eaten on many islands. Juveniles are only two inches long, while adults can reach lengths up to eighteen inches. Their diet is broad, ranging from leaves and fruit to rotten meat and fish.
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