Posted April 14, 2009

For more pictures of St. Maarten wildlife, you'll have to . . .

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One of the fascinating things about SXM is its abundant wildlife. This section gives you a glimpse of some of it:

* Egrets. You're liable to find them anywhere -- on a beach, in a meadow, in a lagoon, on a cow. Snowy egrets, with black legs and yellow feet, almost look like they're wearing boots. Cattle egrets devour insects that would otherwise drive cattle crazy. More than once, I've seen egrets perched on top of rent-a-cars with an eye out for one of their other favorite snacks -- geckos. Island also has a number of large herons, terns, and many other water birds, but no gulls.

* Geckos (small lizards). Common throughout the tropics worldwide, these lizards range from a couple of inches long to nearly a foot. Most are very thin and scamper unnoticed on building foundations and in gardens and grasslands. They're a favorite snack for egrets.

* Iguanas. The new apron at Princess Juliana airport displaced some iguanas that once nested there, but there are still iguanas in various places on the island near water. We've seen them around Simpson Bay lagoon and near Orient Beach. They look a bit fearsome and can range up to a yard long, but they're usually quite docile vegetarians and will quickly fall in love with you if you drop some lettuce in front of them. The iguana above was perched on a cliff high above Simpson Bay. He wasn't one of the "big" ones; he was delighted by some lettuce. Photo was shot in Beacon Hill.

* Mute swans. Native to Europe, these swans are common near the U. S. East coast within 200 miles of New York City. They were once ornamental on estates in the Hamptons on Long Island but are spreading throughout the coastal Northeast. In October, 2001, a local pet store donated a pair to the island. They're often in the water which parallels the Bush Road, near Philipsburg. Look behind the F. W. Vlaun and Son auto dealership. In the same water we've seen coots, Mallard ducks, and other waterfowl. Have not seen them lately....

* Great Frigatebirds. These majestic black seabirds, often with a four-foot wingspan, soar high over the island. They congregate near the game fish piers by the Simpson Bay drawbridge.

* Pelicans. Common island-wide and relatively tame. Fascinating to watch them feed.

* Goats. You're liable to see goats anywhere, including the main streets of Marigot and Philipsburg. A casual look suggests that they're wild; but the fact is that practically all of them are owned, and they wind up where they belong at night. If you see goats, don't park where they're feeding. Goats love to play "King of the Mountain" and they won't think twice about climbing onto your car. Dents? What dents?

* Bulls. Drive from the Middle Region over the "new road" toward Dawn Beach and you will see cows grazing along with a humongous black bull, taller than some cars I've rented. If the bull is slowly crossing the road, the bull has the right of way. Trust me on that.

* Pigs. Yep, we've seen 'em on the road from Philipsburg to Orient Beach. Lots of them.

* Mules. You'll find herds of them near Coralita Beach and elsewhere. They'll happily take your stale French Bread.

* Monkeys. Gary Kopp shot the picture (L) of one near a resort. They aren't common, but they have been seen from Anse Marsel to Guana Bay to Cupecoy and they appear to be thriving. Chloe reports that one showed up not long ago at happy hour near the Summit Resort pool deck; the one on the right, seen by Dennis Kozuch at a villa near the American University Medical School, may be it.

* Snails. In damp weather, ground snails about the size of golf balls tend to stroll at night. In dark places. Near water. You probably won't know it until you step on one. Then you'll know it. In damp weather at night, wear footgear. Trust me on that, too....

* Mongoose. I saw no mongoose here from 1978, when I first visited, until 1999. I saw one then, one in 2000, two in 2001, and four in 2002 -- near Coralita Beach, Orient, and (mostly) near Cupecoy and in the Lowlands. Now I see them every year. Shaped like minks, they're 2-3 feet long and a rusty maroon color. They usually move quickly and don't give you time to photograph them. Their favorite food is rodents, which explains why rodents are in very short supply here. A good drawing of a mongoose is here.

* Sugar birds. Smallish birds with yellow breasts and a pleasant song, sugar birds can be attracted by a bowl of sugar on a balcony railing or window sill. Nonetheless, we suggest you not do that -- unless you also like ants. Here's a good photo of one.

* Flies and mosquitoes. The good news is that both are rare, which is why you can dine outdoors without flies sharing your lunch. Bring mosquito repellent if mosquitoes or the smaller, more annoying "no-see-ums" favor you for a snack, although there are no more here than on any other Caribbean island. You can also buy repellent two-packs at Cost-U-Less, near KFC just south of the Le Grand Marche Rotary.

* Wild Boars. Just kidding, none here. :)

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