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Reptiles
Whiptail
lizards, endemic to Curaçao,
can be found basking in the sun almost wherever
you step. The slender brown ones (“lagadishi”)
are the females and young, the larger blue green
ones (“blò-blò”) the
mature males of the same species. Geckos inhabit
the scrubby trees, feeding on those ever-present
mosquitos. The male anole (“totèki”
or “kaku”) boasts an impressive
bright yellow and orange dewlap, which he pompously
fans to attract females and ward off attackers.
One species of gecko, a translucent tan color,
with bulging black eyes and splayed limbs, has
sucker feet, which allows it to scale walls.
Locals call this species the “plakiplak”
(“stickystick). All of these mentioned
species are harmless.
Without
a doubt, the iguana (“yuana”) is
the king of Curaçao reptiles. Because
of its rare double penis, which can grow to
3 to 4 feet in length,the meat and eggs are
coveted as supposedly powerful aphrodisiacs.
Iguana soup is a local delicacy.
Two
species of snakes can be found on Curaçao,
and both are completely harmless. Four types
of sea turtles are common in our waters the
Green Turtle, the Hawksbill Turtle, the Loggerhead
and the Leatherback Turtle. The first three
make use of a few small beaches, located at
the protected area in Shete Boka Park, to lay
their eggs.
Mammals
The
island hosts a total of 11 native breeds of
mammals, which are the Curaçao White-tailed
Deer, some field mice, small rabbits, and eight
species of bats. The deer and bats are endangered
species. Recent work has shown the key role
bats play in the terrestrial ecosystem as the
only principal pollinators of columnar cacti,
which are a key food source for many species
during dry periods. It is not uncommon to see
goats or donkeys wandering the streets, particularly
in the more rural areas.
Birding
Whether
you are comfortably settled on a beach chair,
strolling along the picturesque waterfront or
trekking intrepidly through the underbrush,
you're certain to come into contact with several
of Curaçao's native birds. More than
168 bird species have been registered on Curaçao.
At least 51 of these species are breeding birds,
71 are migrants from North America, 19 are visitors
from South America and 19 are seabirds. The
most common of the native birds include the
Trupial, a black bird with a bright orange underbelly
and white swatches on its wings, and the Cuchubi,
the Caribbean mocking bird.
For
more information about the Curaçao wildlife
visit: http://www.carmabi.org/Activiteiten.asp
Links
& Sources:
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