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Swimming with the iguanas #42490
02/27/2015 01:26 PM
02/27/2015 01:26 PM
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 334
S
StMartinFan Online content OP
Traveler
StMartinFan  Online Content OP
Traveler
S
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 334
I was surprised to see a 3 foot-long iguana strolling the beach this morning, and then plunging into the water for a swim. He actually moved very quickly in the water, kind of like an eel. After swimming a bit, he seemed to ride the shallow waves for a while before hitting the sand and walking off. A woman swimming a short distance away decided to leave the water instead of taking part in the new SXM attraction, swimming with the iguanas.

We'd seen him walking the street in front of the Grand Case rental a few days ago, but I didn't realize that iguanas were ocean swimmers!

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Re: Swimming with the iguanas [Re: StMartinFan] #42491
02/27/2015 03:49 PM
02/27/2015 03:49 PM
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 51
W Michigan Shoreline
BoatGuy Offline
Traveler
BoatGuy  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 51
W Michigan Shoreline
They told us in November that more were being seen because of foliage loss from the hurricane. Unfortunately they will also cool off in pools on the island.

Re: Swimming with the iguanas [Re: StMartinFan] #42492
02/27/2015 05:13 PM
02/27/2015 05:13 PM
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,764
Quebec
kish Offline
Traveler
kish  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,764
Quebec
We saw one swimming in a small pond near Princess Heights a couple of weeks ago. I had no idea they could swim.

Re: Swimming with the iguanas [Re: kish] #42493
02/27/2015 05:48 PM
02/27/2015 05:48 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 7,752
St. Maarten
Barbara Offline
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Barbara  Offline
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 7,752
St. Maarten
they are excellent swimmers and they can stay underwater for a long time.Just ask the ones who submerge themselves in our pool to get away from the dogs <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" />

Re: Swimming with the iguanas [Re: Barbara] #42494
02/27/2015 05:51 PM
02/27/2015 05:51 PM
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,764
Quebec
kish Offline
Traveler
kish  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,764
Quebec
Barbara, perhaps you can tell me if iguanas change colour as they warm up in the sun. We have been observing one who sits in the tree below our balcony in the morning and he/she is mostly brown with some green around it's back legs. Later in the day we see a bright green iguana in the tree. Do you think it is the same one or two very different iguanas?

Re: Swimming with the iguanas [Re: kish] #42495
02/27/2015 06:23 PM
02/27/2015 06:23 PM
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 287
wisconsin
mikeandsandy Offline
Traveler
mikeandsandy  Offline
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 287
wisconsin
Back in the 60's in Panama, after a night on the town, we would eat Iguana on a stick. Cooked on portable grills by the locals - very good! Miss those days (I was young)

Re: Swimming with the iguanas [Re: mikeandsandy] #42496
02/27/2015 06:49 PM
02/27/2015 06:49 PM
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,348
Rhode Island
RonDon Offline
Traveler
RonDon  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,348
Rhode Island
They like to eat lettuce. When we were in St John USVI a local told us to just place the lettuce on ground in front of us and once they finish it they beg for more. They raise their head , lick the sides of their mouth, bob the head like they're saying... well, where's the rest.

At Dvi Dutch Village one camped out near the pool. I went to the store bought a head of lettuce and every day he was there waiting for me. Once I gave him a generous piece he curled up under my lounge chair and slept.

Re: Swimming with the iguanas [Re: kish] #42497
02/27/2015 07:22 PM
02/27/2015 07:22 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 7,752
St. Maarten
Barbara Offline
Traveler
Barbara  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 7,752
St. Maarten
Quote
kish said:
Barbara, perhaps you can tell me if iguanas change colour as they warm up in the sun. We have been observing one who sits in the tree below our balcony in the morning and he/she is mostly brown with some green around it's back legs. Later in the day we see a bright green iguana in the tree. Do you think it is the same one or two very different iguanas?

what we have here is the green iguana. the one actually endemic to the island was the lesser Antillean which I believe is now extinct or close to it.
Iguanas don't have uniform colors. Usually the young iguana is bright green whole the older ones are more brown or gray. If I had to guess I would guess you are seeing two different iguanas.
There are some pictures here and an explanation by Mark Yokohama a wildlife specialist on the island.

http://www.lesfruitsdemer.org/guides/st-martin-wildlife-guide/reptiles/green-iguana-iguana-iguana/

Re: Swimming with the iguanas [Re: Barbara] #42498
02/27/2015 08:03 PM
02/27/2015 08:03 PM
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,764
Quebec
kish Offline
Traveler
kish  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,764
Quebec
Thanks Barbara, I new you would have the answer. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

Re: Swimming with the iguanas [Re: Barbara] #42499
02/27/2015 08:21 PM
02/27/2015 08:21 PM
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,635
Brookfield, CT.
pat Offline
Traveler
pat  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,635
Brookfield, CT.
Can't help but thinking about the photo of your pool dweller from a few months back........how did you ever get him both 'out' and 'gone' at least from enjoying the bottom of your pool. Don't know why you didn't want to share it with him....... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />


Respectfully,

pat



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