A Few Fabulous Island Faces
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Despite being 560 nautical miles from America's coast, animals managed to reach Bermuda before humans discovered it. They flew, drifted on ocean currents and blew in with hurricanes. After Bermuda was settled, animals were brought here by settlers. However they arrived here, Bermuda's terrestrial wildlife has had to adapt to the extreme conditions associated with island life. High humidity and temperatures, strong seasonal winds and very few bodies of fresh water are just a few of the ongoing challenges that our wildlife faces.
How many species of animals do you think have been recorded on an island just 20.6 miles square? Believe it or not, the answer is around 8330. Of these species, approximately 70 are endemic, meaning they can be found nowhere else on our earth except for this tiny island. Bermuda's most recognized endemic animals are arguably the critically endangered Rock Skink and Cahow (Bermuda petrel).
This very rare crab depends on Bermuda's West Indian Topshells for its survival.
A golf ball sized land hermit crab scavenges on Nonsuch Island. When fully grown this crab can support a shell the size of a large orange.
This crafty crab is super quick and elusive. They inhabit Bermuda's beaches but are rarely seen.
Small frog, big voice!
Just 1 cm in length from head to toe.
If you have never seen this reptile before, you will certainly not be the only one. The Bermuda skink is one our planet's rarest reptiles.
A stunning adult skink. These reptiles are critically endangered. Habitat loss and introduced predators are the main reasons for their decline.
These animals are very quick and difficult to photograph. This adult was 8 inches in length.
This odd looking turtle is Bermuda's native terrapin. They are very rare. Less than 100 adults are believed to live in Bermuda.
These endangered terrapins can only be found in a few landlocked ponds on Mid Ocean Golf Course.
Females of this species lay on average 5 eggs in a clutch. Unfortunately, hatchling rates are low due to the build up of toxins in their bodies.
This toad enjoys a dip in our bird bath every evening. She is always here in the morning!
That is my thumb nail, and that is one very tiny whistling tree frog. Don't forget to notice and appreciate the small things in life!
Toads are not native to Bermuda, but anything that eats cockroaches is welcome in my garden.
These tough crustaceans can withstand the most violent of waves by hiding deep within crevices or clinging to rock surfaces with their powerful legs.
During seasonal hurricanes, waves hit the shoreline with such force that large chunks of rock are sometimes dislodged and tossed further up the coast as well as inland. Despite this, Sally Lightfoot crabs are right at home here.
These beautiful crabs add a splash of vibrant colour to Bermuda's coastline.
A Jamaican anole flashes his dewlap.
A Warwick lizard tries to consume a fritillary butterfly caterpillar!
Jake the Jamaican anole has lived in our garden for many years. We have a healthy population of these anoles on our Southampton property. Watching them is always amusing.
This little guy is on the cover of my first photography book - BERMUDA. I am sure he would be most proud!
So tiny and so cute!
If there is one thing peepers love, it's the rain! And if there is one thing I love it is listening to them singing on warm rainy nights.
Unfortunately Cuban anoles do not belong in Bermuda. They were first discovered to be living here in 2011.
It is assumed that these anoles made their way to Bermuda in potted plants.
This Cuban anole was eyeing up another male. Minutes later they were locked in battle - unfortunately in thick foliage where I was unable to photograph them.
Bermuda's mangroves are the northern most mangroves in the Atlantic Ocean. They are a very important habitat for many species of animal.
This Sally Lightfoot crab has chosen to rest next to a West Indian Top shell. These native snails were hunted to extinction by early settlers but in 1982 were reintroduced. They are now protected and doing fairly well.