Harmful Animals

On STX, some people seem stressed by the pythons out west. I see them as a good way to control the feral cat and wild dog problems we have. The smaller ones eat a lot of rats too. They're really quite docile. I had a few Burmese Pythons as pets when I was much younger. The locals just like to slaughter them out of fear.

We’ve got deer that sound louder than any deer I’m familiar with in the North East. In the evening their all over the top of our property. We refer to them as “velociraptors” as per the vicious dinosaurs that hunt in packs in the Jarrasic Park movies. Other than the damage they do to the garden (which can be extreme, especially during a drought) they’re harmless.

The large Iguana can be intimidating, but also harmless.

The thing you need to watch though are the local Roosters. After their ear piercing crowing, they’ll charge and tear you to threads...    😉

There are no dangerous mammals (except humans!) but there are a few spiders and insects that can be harmful.

Dogs that run in packs can kill livestock and domestic pets.

Also, lots of feral cats lurking about.

There are no wild animals that are harmful to humans in USVI.

There are insects to beware or be aware of such as scorpions, centipedes, various spiders, etc., whose bites can be painful but not life-threatening unless you're severely allergic.

Harmful Animals.......great name for a band

mosquito borne diseases are a concern

Cows walking in the road can be a dangerous occurence

Spiders hidden in your shoes are an occasional problem

Flying termite swarms are bothersome and a risk to wooden structures

Dogs roaming free, even from private homes can be dangerous, and a deterrent to walking the neighborhood or roads

Possession of a python in the V.I. should be a felony.  They should be killed on sight.  They will wipe out fairly rare native species, birds and amphibians.  Some reptilian loving turdball released a Gaboon Viper on a walking path in the Northeast a few years ago.  It was found dead, but how freakin' stupid?  I'm thinking baseball bat for both species.  

feral dogs, scorpions , centipedes, spiders. feral cats wont bother you. 

and killer iguanas

Thank you so much for the information on harmful animals.  We will be on St Thomas on the 22nd of this month and will come fully armed to fight off dogs, cats, spiders, bugs, iguanas, the cow in the road, and deer. Actually your responses have made me feel more at peace knowing that something will not eat me alive.  Now, what about this crazy flesh eating bacteria that is killing people who go in the water?

We haven't had any reports of people having issues with the flesh eating bacteria here in the VI. However, I would say that its not impossible. Anytime you're in the water (ocean or lake) with an open wound, you're susceptible.

about 700-1000 a year die of this disease out of the millions that get in the water. id say your chances are slim, really slim