We’re not sure yet how Easter is celebrated in St. Martin. There is a veritable smorgasbord of church services to chose from, but no talk of the Easter bunny, nor is there any evidence of rabbits on the island. There are an abundance of green iguanas though, especially in the mangroves around our marina. These enormous prehistoric looking creatures can be seen lazing about on the rocks along the shore solemnly gazing at us with an indulgent eye as we scurry to and fro on the pontoon. Our favorite is a magnificent beast, at least 4 feet in length who we have dubbed ‘Iggy.’
Our fascination with these new neighbors of ours prompted me to do a little research about them. Allow me to share a few things I've discovered about them with you:
Our fascination with these new neighbors of ours prompted me to do a little research about them. Allow me to share a few things I've discovered about them with you:
Iggy shows off his dewlap
- As you can see from my photographs ‘green iguanas’ are not always green. In fact, they range from green to lavender, black, and even pink.
- The ‘dewlap,’ a flap of skin below their jaw, inflates to ward off predators and is also used for males to attract females during the mating season.
- They use "head bobs" and their dewlaps in a variety of ways in social interactions to greet another iguana or to court a possible mate. The frequency and number of head bobs have particular meanings to other iguanas. We’ve tried bobbing our heads at Iggy (which in hindsight could be dangerous as we have no idea what we may be communicating to him!), but he just stares at us impassively.
- They have excellent vision and can see shapes, shadows, colors, and movement at long distances.
- Green Iguanas have a third eye on the top of their heads which cannot see images, but is sensitive to changes in light and dark and can detect movement which is especially helpful when being stalked by predators from above.
- They are primarily herbivores feeding on leaves, flowers, fruit, but their favorite meal is the wild plum.
- Here in the tropics they are considered a culinary delicacy referred to as gallina de palo, "bamboo chicken" or "chicken of the tree, because they are said to taste like chicken. Err... I think I’ll pass.
- When frightened they will flee and as we have seen, if they are near a body of water, they dive into it and swim away, swimming underwater for long distances.
- If cornered by a threat, they will extend and display the dewlap, stiffen and puff up its body, hiss, and bob its head at the aggressor. If the threat persists the Iguana can lash with its tail, bite and use its claws in defense. I plan to keep my distance as they have very sharp teeth that are capable of shredding leaves and even human skin!
- Iguanas are not indigenous to all the islands in the Caribbean. It is believed that neighboring Anguilla came to have them when in the aftermath of two hurricanes in 1995. Apparently a raft of uprooted trees with a group of fifteen green iguanas traveled 200 miles across the ocean from Guadeloupe spending three weeks at sea before landing on the eastern side of the island. Their celebration upon making landfall must’ve been so exuberant, it resulted in a population explosion!
There is loads more, but I realize that I’ve probably already bored most of you, so I will end this missive now, but not before wishing you a very happy Easter. May the Easter bunny fill your basket with joy and may the good Lord bless you and your loved ones today and always.
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