Flowers, Plants and Animals – Saint Lucia Wildlife
Wildlife on the island consists of dozens of bird species, including hummingbirds and the famous Saint Lucia Parrot, as well as many reptiles like lizards, geckos, toads and snakes. Interesting reptiles include the St. Lucia Worm Snake which grows no longer that 4 1/4 inches (108mm), and the green iguana which can grow as long as 5 feet (1.5m). A rodent called the Red-rumped Agouti is a mammal indigenous to Saint Lucia while Manicous (a skinny opossum with a long tail) along with Mongooses were introduced to St. Lucia over a hundred years ago. The Jamaican Fruit-Eating Bat can also be found on the island.
Of course, St. Lucia is home to a variety of tropical tree and plant life, including hibiscus, poinciana, frangipani, orchids, jasmine, and bougainvillea flowers, as well as a number of fruit trees.
There are poisonous snakes (the fer-de-lance) and spiders (the tarantula) on the island, however they are rarely seen or are a problem for travellers. Boa constrictor snakes also live on the island, however like the tarantulas, they are typically not harmful to humans.
In the waters just off the shores of the island, leatherback turtles, whales, dolphins and West Indian Manatees can be seen. There’s about a dozen dive sites teeming with colorful coral reefs and a variety of fish / sea life, such as barracuda, lobsters, turtles, conch and sponges, as well as crabs, eels, wrasse, grouper, jack and snapper.
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