Heed the call of the wild and feast your eyes on the magnificent wildlife of the Caribbean
We know all about the turtles of Trinidad and Tobago and even enjoyed the wild call with trivia, testing our knowledge of the rare and diverse wildlife of the Caribbean. But what about those elusive jungle animals we’ve seen National Geographic documentaries? Do they exist in the Caribbean? For those who don’t know, the Caribbean is much more than sandy beaches, palm trees, blazing sun and powerful hurricanes. It is also a haven for various wildlife (don’t worry – the African lion does not roam freely on the Caribbean islands)!
Many mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, aquatic species and terrestrial invertebrates exist on the Caribbean islands. Think for a moment that you are likely to find sloths, iguanas, monkeys, flamingos, margays, jaguars, pumas, ocelots, jaguarundi and the like. This is just a small sample of the number of animal species that inhabit the magnificent islands of the Caribbean. They are numerous in territories such as Trinidad and Tobago, St Lucia, St Kitts, Jamaica, Cayman Islands, Bahamas, Antigua, St Maarten, Barbados, Turks and Caicos.
From the moment you step into port on the Caribbean islands, it’s go, go, go. Whether by boat, ship, helicopter or plane, the tropical islands of the Caribbean are extraordinary. To get you into the jungle spirit, you might want to refresh all the wild animals you’re likely to encounter on your expeditions. Panthers, parrots, monkeys, snakes and the like are ubiquitous. You may even want to play jungle slots and enjoy an entertainment extravaganza before planning your daily travel and tourism list.
Where to see exotic jungle animals in the Caribbean?
Granted, panthers and black leopards are some of the most elusive creatures of the jungle – but you can see them up close and personal with top titles like Panther Moon and Panther Pays slots. Once you get to know these majestic creatures, you can plan an unforgettable stay on your Caribbean island hopping expedition. Consider the following jungle adventures on your next trip:
- Belize it is an integral part of the Caribbean economic and social community. It is a member of CARICOM – in proportion to what the EU represents in Europe. In Belize, there are many national parks where you can see thriving jaguar populations. Although elusive, these animals exist and are well hidden in the jungles of the territory. You may want to visit Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, St Herman’s Blue Hole National Park, Rio Bravo Conservation Area or Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve.
- San Juan, Aruba and Cozumel are exotic places to see the Caribbean’s best wildlife. Jungle expeditions abound in places like Nassau, George Town and Yucatán. The rainforests and national parks are teeming with wildlife, a veritable range of excitement for everyone.
- Dominica enjoys the designation of the natural island of the Caribbean. This densely populated jungle is full of wild animals. Dominica is close to Martinique and south of Guadalupe. Since it is an island, you are likely to see lots of fish and birds with the unique jack parrots in abundance. It is a great place to see exotic animals, including agoutis, hummingbirds and other wildlife. Not to be confused with the Dominican Republic, home to rattlesnakes, black widow spiders, lionfish, puffer fish, jellyfish, manatees, rhinoceros iguanas and two national zoos.
- Puerto Rico it is full of wild animals. You can find these creatures on Mona Island. This protected reserve contains over 100 endangered species and hundreds of fish species as well. Some of the main attractions include the Mona iguana and leatherback sea turtles. Sites include the Caribbean National Forest, Bosque Cambalache National Park and Cabo Rojo Wildlife Refuge.
