Iguanas

Okay, you're probably thinking... really... Iguanas?! But let's think about this for one second. Where I live in the states (Arkansas) things like squirrels run around crazy style but in the Caribbean their "majority animal" is an iguana. For whatever reason, I'm actually pretty terrified of these things. They look like a dinosaur to me which quite frankly, aren't friendly creatures.

Let's take a closer look: Iguanas are a type of lizard; they are native to tropical areas of the Caribbean and Central/South America. Some of these suckers can grow to be over 4 feet long! What I've learned is the iguanas found in the U.S. Virgin Islands are Green Iguanas.  

Since they live on an island, can they swim?! Apparently, Green iguanas can swim but they aren't that great at it. Mainly, they live in the trees. Can you imagine taking a nice walk and hearing something scurry around in a tree to look up and find this 4 foot long  green dinosaur stalking you?! I... just... can't!

So, here's my main question and the most important... Are iguanas dangerous? We've got a nature reserve walking trail at our villa in St. Thomas (side note: I'm super excited about this trail). I exercise several days a week so I'm sure I will be putting the walking trail to good use but what about the dreaded run-in with the Green Iguana.... especially... if I have Louie! Luckily, I've found Green Iguanas aren't really dangerous in fact, they are more scared of you than you are of them. I'm thinking I can come up with a crazy dance so if I ever see said iguana on my nature walks I can scare it away!

One thing I won't be doing while there: wearing red toe nail polish! Iguanas feed off of leaves, fruits, and flowers and the red nail polish might make an iguana think my toes are small fruits or flowers! This has actually happened to people... um hello, scary?!

PS- If you ever go to a destination where iguanas are common don't feed them. If they get used to this they will become a nuisance and possibly dangerous.

I hope you've found this post informative. I think I'll rest easy knowing the iguana shouldn't attack me anytime soon.

XOXO