Flowers, Plants and Animals – Bonaire Wildlife
Bonaire consists of dry forest areas, Saltinas (salt lakes/pans/marshes) and mangroves, while the island’s sandy beaches are surrounded by coral reefs and sea-grass beds.
The iconic resident of Bonaire is the colourful flamingo! Caribbean flamingos have bright coloration – Their striking pink color a result of their diet, rich in alpha and beta carotenoid pigments found in the islands’ algae and insects. Estimated at over 15,000 birds, the island has one of the largest colonies of the shy birds in the Western hemisphere. Flamingos build conical mud nests in the salt pans and be seen in the north and south ends of the islands.
Over 200 bird types have been spotted on Bonaire, some being permanent residents while others are occasional visitors. The most famous of Bonaire’s native birds include the protected Lora (Yellow-shouldered amazon parrot), the Bonaire Green Parrot and the Green Prikichis (parakeet), while brightly colored Orioles, Trupials, and Bananaquits also get attention. A variety of sea birds are also present on the island and include Brown Pelicans, Osprey and Frigates.
The island has it’s share of reptiles, with iguanas and lizards in a variety of shapes and sizes. The Blau-Blau (Blue Whiptail) lizard is endemic to Bonaire, as is the Anolis tree lizard who interestingly is related to the Windward Islands species rather than those found on neighboring Venezuela. In addition, Bonaire has eight different bat species and once domesticated animals such as Goats and Donkeys freely roaming the island…
In the north, Bonaire has a hilly, green desert-like landscape similar to the American southwest or south-eastern Spain, hence it’s nickname “Arizona by the Sea”. That said, it’s far from devoid of life – There are more than 500 different species of plants in Washington Slagbaai National Park. The landscape is of course dominated by Cacti, Divi Divi trees, Agaves and Aloë Vera plants. Cacti such as Candle, Prickly Pear, Yatu and the towering Kadushi are prevalent.
These plants are put to good use, as the Yatu is used for fences and liquors are made from Agaves and Kadushi (which also is used in local soup). The many benefits of the Aloë Vera are well known and include being used as: a disinfectant; laxative; moisturizer; and medicine (to treat rheumatism). Only found in the Dutch Caribbean, the Divi Divi (Watapana) trees are quite spectacular – Bending in the direction of the constant wind. Other trees and bushes found on Bonaire include the Brazilwood, Mesquite Acacia and Calabash.
Further south on the island, the land is flat and dry… although gardens contain bright and colourful Flamboyant, Bougainvillea, Hibiscus, Poinsettia, Frangipane and Oleander flowers. Rock and Yellow Sage can also be found throughout Bonaire.
Off shore from the mangroves and sandy beaches, there is an abundance of life in Bonaire’s waters. Seagrass meadows and coral are not far from the island. Bonaire’s coral reefs are the least degraded in the Caribbean Sea! Over 50 species of coral thrive here, including Stony, Elkhorn, Staghorn, Boulder Star and Lettuce Coral, as well as Great Star and Blushing Star corals at greater depths. A variety of Gorgonian (sea fans) are also found on the sea floor.
The waters surrounding Bonaire contain over 350 species of reef fish including colorful Parrot Fish (Blue and Rainbow), friendly Angel Fish, feisty Sergeant Majors, beautiful Butterfly Fish, blue-striped Scrawled Filefish, camouflaged Frog Fish as well as Grunts, Gobies, Groupers, Blue Tangs and Jacks.
Bonaire is home to three of the world’s six endangered species of marine turtles: The Hawksbill, Green, and Loggerhead, the latter who generally visits only during the nesting season. The sea also contains Manta and Eagle Rays, Whale Sharks, Dolphins as well as marine invertebrates like the Sea Cucumber and Queen Conch (Karko)…
If you’re interested in Bonaire’s conservation efforts, check out the Bonaire Sustainability and EcoTourism page.
Note: There are no poisonous snakes or spiders on Bonaire, although the island does have a rare scorpion and a similarly rare centipede that are venomous, however they should not be a concern for vacationers.
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