TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Swimming with the iguanas

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!

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.

We saw one swimming in a small pond near Princess Heights a couple of weeks ago. I had no idea they could swim.

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="" />

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?

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)

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.

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/

Thanks Barbara, I new you would have the answer. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

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="" />