Fauna

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As in every tropical islands, the fauna and the flora of Saint Lucia are very rich. Unfortunately, numbers of animal species have disappeared and some others are today very threatened . Among these last, the Saint Lucian parrot (Amazona Versicolor) which can only be found in Saint Lucia and which is unfortunately become one of the rarest birds of the world. Its only chances of survival are now the attempts of reproduction in captivity.

Saint Lucian Parrot

If the Saint Lucian fauna is rich in birds (birds flies, frigates, will hérons...), there are very few reptiles. The vipers "fer-de-lance" were almost entirely decimated by the mongeese which were artificially introduced. Boa constrictors, also introduced by human, have found a very pleasant shelter in the rain forest and have elected residence there, even if they remain difficult to see. Let us note also the presence of some iguanas on the Atlantique coast.

Every year, Grande Anse beach on the Atlantique coast is used as place of reproduction for many marine turtles.

Marine Turtle

In addition to mongeese introduced by human, there still some agoutis, one of the two original mammals species of the island. The other, the muskrat, has totally disappeared today.

Underwater fauna is perhaps even more amazing. It is not rare to see a turtle or a barracuda simply while snorkeling close from the shore. The best way to discover all those species is obviously scuba diving. Fishing is prohibited in marine reserves and underwater fishing is subjected to an authorization everywhere.

"Tourists" in Saint Lucia!...(22th April 1997)
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