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Wildlife - Flora, Fish and Animals

Flora & Fauna

Plant Life
The Cayman Islands are not as lush as neighboring Jamaica, but still boast a good variety of tropical flora and fauna. Since the islands were relatively isolated for centuries, residents became expert in the use of native flora for medicinal purposes. Some former uses of endemic plants included: coconut water to relieve kidney problems; mulberry and almond leaves applied externally for the treatment of rheumatism; aloe to relieve burns and rashes; and periwinkle as a tea to treat coughs and diabetes.

ORCHIDS: The wild banana orchid is the national flower, selected from among 27 indigenous orchid species. Blooming in April and May, this orchid is found on all three islands, but in different varieties. On Grand Cayman, look for Schomburgkia thomsoniana, with one-inch white blossoms and purple lips. On Cayman Brac and Little Cayman, the Shomburgkia thomsoniana var. minor is yellow in color with lighter purple lips. In all, 26 species of orchids are found on the islands, with five not found anywhere else. (Don't plan on viewing all the varieties, however; some are so small you'd need a magnifying glass to spot them!)

TREES: The national tree is the silver thatch palm (Coccothrinax proctoril). Named for botanist Dr. George Proctor, author of Flora of the Cayman Islands (see Booklist), the palm has a silvery underside with light green upper fronds. For all its beauty, this plant has far more than ornamental value, though. It has been used by islanders to form roofing, belts, baskets, rope, and more. Palm rope has long been a bartering tool, traded for staples.

The mango is the most plentiful fruit in the Cayman Islands, ripening in the month of June and continuing to produce fruit through September. The islands harvest about 65,000 pounds of this tropical treasure every season. There are 15 different varieties of the fruit; you'll find it at roadside stands and farmers' markets.

Animals
A shy resident of these islands is the agouti (Dasyprocta punctata), a rabbit-sized rodent once hunted for meat. The agouti is a Central American native, introduced by the early settlers. Once kept as a pet and raised for food, today the rodent is rarely seen. The agouti has long, thin legs, hoof-like claws with three toes on its hind feet and five toes on its forefeet. A family of agoutis can be viewed at the Cayman Turtle Farm on Grand Cayman.

The hickatee (Trachemys decussata), a freshwater turtle, is found in the freshwater and brackish ponds in the Cayman Islands and neighboring Cuba.

Although the Cayman Islands have no poisonous snakes, you might spot a harmless indigenous species, such as the grass snake (Alsophis cantherigerus). The numbers of this snake, which feeds on frogs and lizards, have been reduced by the mongoose, which was introduced to the islands to control rats. (Unfortunately, rats and mongooses keep different hours, so the mongoose feeds on snakes instead. As snakes are a natural predator of rats, the rat population is burgeoning now.)

A favorite sighting is the blue iguana (cyclura nubila lewisi). This vegetarian species can grow to a length of five feet. It's often seen sunning (sometimes in the middle of the road). Little Cayman is home to over 2,000 iguanas (check out the "iguana crossing" signs around the island). On Grand Cayman, you can see a large male in the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Gardens.

Bird Life
Bird life thrives. Parrots, ducks, cuckoos, herons, and others populate the wetlands. Birders are challenged by numerous species on all three islands.

One of the most exotic species is the Cayman national bird, the Cayman parrot. You might hear this bird even before you see its iridescent green feathers. Look for the birds in early morning and late afternoon when they return to roost in the stumps of palm trees. On Grand Cayman, look for the Grand Cayman parrot (Amazona leucocephala caymensis); Cayman Brac boasts a subspecies, the Cayman Brac parrot (Amazona leucocephala hesterna), one of the world's rarest Amazon parrots. (Don't scan the trees looking for parrots on Little Cayman. The island's parrots disappeared in 1932 with the Great Hurricane and never returned.) These parrots eat fruit, flowers and seeds in the dry woodlands and nest in hollow trees.

Another common bird is the Zenaida dove (zenaida aurita), a cooing dove that hunts for dried seeds. The colorful bananaquit, a yellow and black bird that's not shy about begging for crumbs (and its favorite treat: sugar) is another common sight. Although bananaquits are found throughout the Caribbean, the bananaquit (coereba flaveola sharpei) found in the Cayman Islands is a unique subspecies.

Red-footed boobies (sula sula) are easily sighted on Little Cayman. Here you'll find 7,000 boobies, about 30% of the Caribbean population. This beige bird, about 25 inches in size, nests high in the trees, constructing a rough nest of sticks that's easy to spot. Its young are pure white.
Magnificent frigate birds are also sighted in these islands. With a wingspan of over seven feet and wings sharply angled like boomerangs, the black frigate bird is fairly easy to spot. They soar high over the sea and are aggressive to other birds, often hitting the red-footed booby in flight in an attempt to make it disgorge its meal, an easy dinner for the frigate bird.

Little Cayman in particular is a favorite with birders, who come to the tiny isle for the chance to spot red-footed boobies, magnificent frigate birds, West Indian whistling ducks, cattle egrets, black necked stilts, snowy egrets, tricolored herons, and others. Cayman Brac is favored for its parrot viewing, with a large reserve dedicated to these colorful birds. Grand Cayman is also home to several protected areas and ponds where both migrating and resident birds thrive.

Much of the credit for the proliferation and recognition of the Cayman Islands' bird life can be taken by former Governor Michael Gore. An avid birder, Gore worked diligently to secure the many sites and preserve them for future enjoyment.

EARTH WATCH: Capturing of Cayman parrots is illegal. Formerly a popular house pet on the islands, both subspecies are now protected by law and cannot be taken from the wild.

Marine Life
The marine life here is some of the richest in the Caribbean. Gargonians, barrel and tube sponges, and other colorful formations make the experience extraordinary for even the most seasoned divers.
Stingrays

There's no doubt that for many travelers the Cayman Islands are synonymous with stingrays, thanks to the popularity of Stingray City. These fascinating creatures are most commonly seen in the area of the North Sound where the bay spills into the sea, but are sometimes sighted in other places as well. Many types of rays frequent this part of the Caribbean:

Southern Atlantic stingray (dasyatis americana). This is the most common type of stingray and these are the fellows that will come up and nuzzle up to your hand at Stingray City and the Sandbar on the North Sound. They're found in shallow bays near the sandy bottoms where they feed on mollusks and crustaceans. Considered a choice meal by sharks, the rays have a barbed tail for protection. Like a scorpion's tail, the barb is brought up to defend the ray against attack from above. These rays are either a dark gray or brown with a white belly. They can reach up to six feet in width.
Eagle rays are spotted along the walls (most often along the North Wall of Grand Cayman) and are wary of people. Like the stingrays, eagles are also white-bellied but have patterned topsides, with spots and circles in a white or beige color against a dark gray or brown. These rays have angular pectoral fins and can measure up to eight feet across. 
Manta rays. These are the largest of the ray family, growing over 20 feet across and sometimes weighing in at over 3,000 pounds. They have a unique fin structure around their mouths that forms a scoop to gulp plankton and small organisms. An immature manta was spotted for several years off Little Cayman but has not been sighted recently.
Sea Turtles
Other marine life often associated with the Cayman Islands are sea turtles. There's no missing the importance of this marine creature in the Cayman Islands. Sir Turtle, the islands' peg-legged turtle "mascot," is seen on every brochure you'll find, and the most popular land attraction on this island is the Cayman Turtle Farm. The green sea turtle (chelonia mydas) that is such an integral part of Cayman culture is found in the Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, Mediterranean, Pacific and Indian Oceans. These turtles have been observed to remain underwater for several days without surfacing for air. Even in their current protected state, the turtle does not lead an easy life; only one out of 10,000 eggs laid reaches maturity. The hazards are many: birds, animals, marine life, humans. Everything's a threat to these little guys. Nevertheless, the turtle thrives in Cayman waters.

EARTH WATCH: The Cayman Islands have taken strict measures to protect marine life. Today, the sea turtle is protected and no one may disturb, molest, or take turtles in Cayman waters without a license. Other marine conservation laws prohibit the taking of any marine life or damaging coral with anchors. Over 200 permanent boat moorings are in place around the islands.

MARINE CONSERVATION LAWS
The Cayman Islands have some of the strictest marine conservation laws in place in the Caribbean. The laws were first put into place in 1978 and were strengthened in 1993. The rules prohibit: damaging coral by anchor, chains or any other means anywhere in Cayman waters; the taking of any marine life while scuba diving; the taking of any coral, sponges, sea fans or other marine specimens; the use of a spear gun or seine net; fishing with gill nets or poison; dumping anything into the water; exporting any form of marine life.  Basically, the law designates four special areas for protection: marine park zones, replenishment zones, environmental zones, and no-diving zones.

In marine park zones it is illegal to take any marine life, alive or dead, except by line fishing from the shore or beyond the drop-off. Anchoring is permitted only at fixed moorings installed by the Department of Environment's Protection and Conservation unit.
Lobster and conch are protected in the replenishment zones. Spear guns, pole spears, fish traps, and fish nets are also prohibited in these regions; only line fishing is allowed. Anchoring is permitted.

Environmental zones receive some of the strictest protection under the law. Here, no marine life may be taken or disturbed; anchoring is prohibited, as are all activities in the water. Part of the North Sound on Grand Cayman is covered by these stringent rules in order to protect breeding areas for fish and other marine life.

No-diving zones were created to protect the cultural heritage as well as the environment of the Cayman Islands. This designation marks a region as off-limits for scuba diving to protect the waters for traditional Cayman fishing. These special zones have been set aside off the north coast of Grand Cayman.

Marine law also limits the amount of catch. Lobster can be caught only during season (closed season: February 1 through July 31). During season, only adult spiny lobster with a six-inch minimum tail size may be taken. Each person may take up to five or no more than 15 per boat per day. Up to 15 conch may be taken per person (or 20 per boat). Only adult conchs, those with fully developed lips, may be harvested. Grouper are protected during the winter spawning season (January).

The penalty for violation of any of these marine rules is strict. The maximum penalty is CI $5,000 (US $6,000) and one year in jail. The penalty for vessels convicted of illegally dumping waste is CI $500,000 (US $625,000).

For more about the Marine Conservation Laws, ask for a copy of the brochure Marine Park Rules and The Sea Code in the Cayman Islands; or call the Cayman Islands Dept. of Environment's Protection and Conservation Unit on Grand Cayman at % (345) 949-8469 or fax (345) 949-8912.