After 50 years, with the help of a number of agencies and organizations, Division of Fish and Wildlife has worked to reintroduce this small, endangered lizard back to the Island!
At roughly 3.5 inches, this little reptile hasn’t been seen on St. Croix since 1969, and was listed as endangered in 1977.
Hatchlings start off with a bright blue tail, which then change with maturity to a brown hue with accents of blue and black rings. Generally, with a pattern of light and dark brown marks with white stripes down their back, their stomachs are white with males having still the bright blue markings.
They are known to eat berries, moths, ants, amphipods and some say even small hermit crabs!
Back in the 1880s, the small Indian Mongoose that was introduced to the Island to help control rats in the sugar cane fields. The Mongoose has negatively impacted the local wildlife population, and thus likey aiding in the extinction of the species.
In an effort to protect the lizards, teams have utilized Protestant Cay, Ruth Island and Buck Island for relocation, as they are all offshore, mongoose free islands.
Ten lizards back in 1990 were moved from Protestant Cay to Ruth Island. Then in 2008, a total of fifty-seven were relocated from Green Cay to Buck Island.
St. Croix has a large variety of lizards, but next time you are out to Buck Island, keep an eye out for that blue coloring, and perhaps you will be lucky enough to see one of our little Island friends!
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