USVI-On-Line

thanks for the respones and anyone else please chime in. It sounds like there are a lot in some areas and not in other areas. They have some serious tails. I will rule out Gallows. Will probably stay at Grand Bay or consider others .The reply that concerns me most is the one that says they are swimming at Frances Bay. I did not know they do salt water.

Heres Mr missing part of my tail..

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jnjshaw/5110027843/" title="Untitled by JnJShaw, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1335/511 ... b5680e.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a>

dreamin wrote:thanks for the respones and anyone else please chime in. It sounds like there are a lot in some areas and not in other areas. They have some serious tails. I will rule out Gallows. Will probably stay at Grand Bay or consider others .The reply that concerns me most is the one that says they are swimming at Frances Bay. I did not know they do salt water.

I wouldn't rule out any beaches or condos or villas because of the iguanas. Honestly, they are harmless. They just look creepy.

And of course this one at Cinnamon Bay

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jnjshaw/5107145081/" title="A Baby Iguana the kids played with by JnJShaw, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1420/510 ... 3347e4.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="A Baby Iguana the kids played with"></a>

I think of them as any other wild animal. Do you worry about encountering deer? A mongoose? Raccoons, in your own neighborhood? Unless you go to a place where they have come to view humans as a viable source of food, I don't think you have anything to worry about.
We've seen a few, and they weren't at all interested in us.

Iguanas are so cool to look at and watch, just an interesting creature and they won't pay any attention to you. Last year we had them in the trees below our deck at the villa and it was our morning routine to see how many were sunning themselves that day!! This past trip we didn't see one, and we were so disappointed. Wildlife is definitely a part of the whole St. John experience.

JJ Shaw. That last picture is a lizard which I dont mind. Does anyone know if iguanas swim in salt water as one poster said. I just dont want them on the beaches and ocean. Any more info on that. I had 1000 views on this post so I am glad I was not ashamed to ask. It appears many others are concerned with them also. thanks

You will a whole lot more chickens and mongooseband donkeys on/near the beach. It's just part of the "island charm"...I think posts like these get 1000 views because we get a kick out of people's responses! So funny!....you will have a blast there...even after a rooster wakes you t 6am...a donkey blocks the road...and. Chicken walks next to you on the beach....it's all good

Just back from STJ...stayed at Gallows this past October. The iguanas come out there in the late afternoon to sun and feed. You could set your watch by them. they did not bother us at all. Personally, I enjoy watching them. Last week, we stayed at Grande Bay. Did not see a single one...hmmm...maybe because it is totally concrete! Only saw a little lizard or 2.

The one we saw at Francis was just hanging out in the surf. Not actually swimming, just letting the waves wash over him. Here's a picture.
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid= ... 1154614963

The one we saw at Francis was just hanging out in the surf. Not actually swimming, just letting the waves wash over him. Here's a picture.
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid= ... 1154614963

Last visit three years ago ran across an absolutly huge iguana walking back from the far west end of Cinnamon Bay in front of the cottages. About the size of a small dog. We had to drag my friends 8 year old away, he was fascinated, it looked positively prehistoric... very cool.

JJShaw's pic is a baby iguana. Looks like a lizard, but definitely iguana. Not long after it hatched from its shell I'm sure.

dreamin wrote:JJ Shaw. That last picture is a lizard which I dont mind. Does anyone know if iguanas swim in salt water as one poster said. I just dont want them on the beaches and ocean. Any more info on that. I had 1000 views on this post so I am glad I was not ashamed to ask. It appears many others are concerned with them also. thanks

I use to own a iquana, until he reached his mating age and almost took off my nose in one bite.

Don't let them fool you. They can get very aggressive. They go after red especially (think toenails). If you have food? They love it!

At Sapphire there are some that nest in the trees and the last thing I want is them peeing or crapping on me.

Sorry, IMO I can't stand them and stay far away.

I wouldn't rule Gallows out because of potential iguana sightings. We've stayed there for years and have never encountered an aggressive one there.
We did have a heart-stopping encounter at the Frenchman's Reef pool. My husband set his rum punch down on the ground by his lounge chair for one second and a giant iguana stormed it and made away with the fruit garnish. Took 5 years off my life I tell you.