USVI-On-Line

Trip question #2, island animals.

1) Octopus
2) Mongoose
3) Iguana
4) *Donkeys

These are the few animals I have to check off my "I have to see" list for my next trip this summer. Question is, is there one place your more likely to see them? I heard the mongoose are pretty random, Is there a particular location to check them out??
I am dying to see a live Octopus while snorkeling, does anyone know what beach area they're seen often? And, everyone seems to have these really cool Iguana pics, where do they hang out where you can walk up to them and take a picture of there head?

*And the donkies... I did see them on my last trip and I know we've talked about them in previous posts, but I forget what beach was mentioned that they like to go to... was it Cinnamon? And also behind a pizzaria in Coral bay somewhere I think I read somewhere?
Any advice would be fantastic. Thanks

Dave

I've seen Octopi at Hawksnest and between Maho and Little Maho. Slow and patient is the key. 95% of the time you will pass them by becase of their camoflage ability.

If you want to see mongooses (mongeese?), I recommend the beach at Waterlemon. They have what appears to be a colony in the wooded area back behind the beach. You can hear them rustling around when you're lying on the beach, so don't leave your sandwiches or goodies unattended

We also saw several Donkeys at Waterlemon - they seemed to like to follow the Johnny Horn trail. We frequently see them at Cinnamon as well.

Octopi are TOUGH to spot, but here's a hint or two: look under ledges and holes at the bottom of rock piles. There's at least one who frequents the ledge along the right-hand side of Francis (if you're standing on the beach looking out into the bay, walk all the way to the right, get in before the sandy shoreline ends and snorkel along the ledge that lines the shore, looking carefully.)

Also, keep an eye out of collections of opened shells...octopi are litterbugs, and often they'll leave the remnants of their meals near their "doors"!

One sure-fire way to see them would probably be to go on Maho's night snorkel trip, as they're primarily nocturnal feeders.

mongooses (mongeese?)

More than one mongoose = mongooses

I thought the plural form was still Mongoose. We saw Mongoose twice. Once at Caneel and another one crossing the road on the way to Coral Bay. They are quick though. The damn donkeys are still eluding me . We did however see a gazillion goats.

Teresa_Rae wrote:

mongooses (mongeese?)

More than one mongoose = mongooses

Mongoosedem. I am not even kidding.

Best donkeys are out in Coral Bay. We never went out there that we didn't see donkeys. You have to go past skinnys usually but at times they were hanging out by the field there at the intersection of the two roads in coral bay. Sorry I know landmarks not roads.

We also see goats there all the time.

For the octopus try Jumbie. We saw one there but only once, 3 trips ago now.

Iguanas were everywhere this time. Two lived in our yard in Maria bluff. NOT CuTE. I am not a fan. They look so prehistoric they freak me out. I also saw a huge one on Rock Ridge Rd, unfortunately it had met its maker.

Octopus - Trunk Bay, believe it or not

Mongoose - Little Lameshur

Cheers, RickG

Iguanas can be found all over the Westin Property. Especially on the lawn in back of the main lobby. They like to sun themselves. I believe all the igauanas on the property are wild. They roam around. Can't miss them. Look up in the trees as well. Also, you have to see their pet birds. One sings the theme song to the Andy Griffin Show. Had a great time just talking to them. I know the Westin gets a bad rap, but it has very nice grounds, worth a trip to see it. We really liked staying their this year.

Sandy

Iguanas do like the Westin! They hang out in the landscaping and eat the portulaca blossoms. The Westin has a daily iguana feeding (4:00, I think) and they come out in droves!

Donkeys-Same as California Girl-On the road from Coral Bay to the East End.

Mongoose-Jumbie Beach/North Shore Rd up to Centerline Rd/Dumpster in Coral Bay/outside Sago on Calabash Boom ( eating cat food )

Octopus-Didn't see it but, snorkeler ahead of us saw one at Haulover.

Frank Bay is supposedly a good spot for octopus...I've looked and looked there but no luck. In all my snorkeling I've only found one octopus and it was off Scott Beach.

I've seen mongoosedem at Maho and Francis beaches (as well as a couple of squashed ones in the road but I am sure that's not what you are looking for!). One time we watched them break in to someone's cooler at Francis! It was really funny.

Donkeys...try Waterlemon. We had one hike the trail with us on our first trip. There are also lots of donkeys on Caneel's property.

Caneel triple header