Iguanas

I have heard not to wear bright red nail polish as it is similar in color to the hibiscus flower that they feed on. Haven't heard of anyone losing a toe or two yet.

yeah beware of those vicious vegetarian monster iguanas@!

Volba,

Iguanas are vegetarian like Chris said... so although they might be attracted to bright red nails because they look like fruit or flowers not likely they would try eating your toes. Had a friend who visited recently - she was laying on Secret Harbor beach and an iguana came right up to her hands and nugged them.... she wasn't wearing nail polish - just seemed the iguana fancied her... it apparently followed her from the bar area down to the beach and toward the water when she ran into the water to get away... this is fairly uncommon. Most iguanas will run from humans into the bushes or just away. Iguanas at resort properties often get feed hibiscus by visitors so they become more freindly but if you clap or make a noise usually they will run away. If they feel threatended they will hiss.

--Islander

I thought iguanas were predatory... I remember reading an earlier post on this website about an iguana eating a dog. Oh wait, my bad... That was a frog that had eaten the dog, wasn't it (LOL)? Anyway, its hard to imagine one mistaking someone's toes for a hibiscus. I mean, they can smell, can't they?

LOL,

I have seen dogs chase, catch and try to eat iguanas! The frog story - was my pet cat that caught a frog and got poisoned and died.

I don't know how well iguanas see. So maybe they get mixed up... but yes certainly when they get in close proximity they realize it is nothing worth eating!!

--Islander

Islander - I didn't read that story about your cat before. Are the frogs in the islands poisonous? If I see a frog, I usually try to pick it up. Should we not do that there?

Rhonda,

There are several frog species here. 7 or 8 species.... 3 were introduced.

Of those introduced: The Coqui, The treefrog and Giant Toad.

It is the toad that is the poisonouse one.

Toads have enlarged glands on the side of the neck, behind each eye. These glands secrete a viscous white poison that gets smeared in the mouth of any would-be predator, inflaming the mouth and throat and causing nausea, irregular heart beat, and, in extreme cases, death. The Toad's poison is highly toxic and will burn the eyes and may inflame the skin. A dog or cat that bites a Toad will sicken and may die. Humans should take care to wash their hands after handling a toad, and to avoid touching the mouth or eyes until having done so.

And the description of what happens to the cats is what happened.

So I would say use caution with the frog you pick up, the toad is a large one, the other frogs are little - so I quess you could use that as an indicator.

If you are very interested I found a web site that list all of the them with pics and description.

http://www.fcsc.usgs.gov/armi/Virgin_Islands/Virgin_Islands_Species_Table/virgin_islands_species_table.html

--Islander

Thank you! I will steer clear of the big toads! 🙂