Plants and Animals

The forest on St. John is second- or third-growth, as the island was deforested quite thoroughly during the plantation era. The species are still tropical if not original--tamarind, palm, kapok, and bougainvillea. Airplants hang from the trees and plants are busy reclaiming the plantation ruins. Cactuses and yuccas grow on the dry slopes on the east side of the island.

Geckos, anoles, and iguanas are the most common native animals. Many other animals on St. John are feral animals originally brought by the European settlers-- donkeys, goats, chickens, cats, and mongooses (yep, that is the plural). Mongooses move too quickly to pose for photos! They were brought to eat the rats-- but mongooses are diurnal while rats are active at night. Oops--another good idea gone wrong due to lack of ecological understanding.

Back to St. John home page