Identify idgenous species of Jamaican plants and animals
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Did you know that Jamaica Ranks 5th among the world islands in terms of endemic life? There are 28 species of birds, 830 flowering plants, 82 ferns, 27 reptiles, 21 amphibians, and 500 land snails that are only found in Jamaica. There are also a few species of bats and butterflies that are also endemic to Jamaica. A great place to come see the vast biodiversity of these endemic Jamaican species is The Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park and neighboring recreation area of Holywell.
Birds
The Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park is one of the largest migratory bird sites in the Caribbean and the only location where all of Jamaica’s unique or endemic bird species can be observed. Warblers, falcons, merlins and kingfishers are among the 120 species that retreat to Jamaica’s tropical forest each year to escape winter. Migratory birds join Jamaica’s 28 endemic birds in the national park and over 100 native species.
Ferns and Flowers
Cockpit Country is a great place where you can see 71 of Jamaica’s endemic plant species making it the #1 biodiversity hotspot in the Caribbean. You can take guided hikes through the forest for a more valuable learning experiences as well as participate in an underground caving adventure.
Reptiles and Amphibians
Endemic species of reptiles and amphibians can be found in the Blue and John Crow mountains as well as the Cockpit Country. Cockpit country is special in that it is home to 33endemic reptile species as well as 19 of the 21 endemic species of frogs in Jamaica.
Jamaica is a diverse Caribbean island that is rich in culture as well as native plant and animal life. Away from the swinging scene in Kingston and the reggae music of the clubs, the forests and wetlands are host to more than 3,000 species of plant life, although most forests were cleared for lumber after European contact. Remaining species include mahogany, ebony, rosewood trees and many flowering plants.
indigenous Trees
Included in the list of Jamaica’s native trees are the following: mahogany, rosewood, cedar, logwood, palmetto palm, ebony, allspice, wild lime, Jamaican dogwood, live oak and coconut palm.
Flowering Plants
More than 200 species of native flowering plants live on the island of Jamaica. Some of the common varieties include partridge pea, Spanish needle, desert cassia, scarlet swamp hibiscus, yellow passionflower, turkey tangle or fogfruit, sunshine mimosa, blackbead, doctorbush, broomweed, swamp twinflower, wild petunia, blue porterweed and scarlet sage.
Jamaica is a diverse Caribbean island that is rich in culture as well as native plant and animal life.
More than 200 species of native flowering plants live on the island of Jamaica.
Ferns and Grasses
Sixty-four species of native ferns exist on Jamaica. The Jamaican maiden fern is common, and others include the “vampire” fern, tall tree ferns and the water clover fern, which lives in water and looks like a four-leaf clover. The dry areas of Jamaica’s southern region are home to many indigenous grasses, such as the Jamaican saw grass.
In fact, many Jamaican animals are only found in Jamaica and a number of these are now endangered as so few remain.
Jamaica has the usual types of domestic animals, most of which were introduced during the time of European colonisation. These include dogs, cats, fish, birds, chickens, pigs, cows, goats, fish, sheep, rabbits, horses and donkeys.
Jamaican wild animals range from large reptiles to birds and lots of tiny insects. Where only a few of a species remain the animals are protected under Jamaican Law.
There are seven species of Jamaican snakes and most are only found in Jamaica and none are harmful. The Jamaican Boa (Epicrates subflavus) is the largest and it can grow to over six and a half feet in length. It is known as the Yellow Snake (or Nanka), and has a beautifully patterned black and yellow body, with a small tapered head. It is found in remote areas and it is a protected species.
The Yellow Snake rests in the day and ventures out at night to feed on rats, bats and birds. Snakes are less common than they used to be because their habitats have been destroyed and others have been eaten by the mongoose, which was introduced to Jamaica in 1872 to destroy rats on the sugar plantations.
The American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) is Jamaica’s largest reptile and another protected species but it is also found elsewhere so is not unique to Jamaica. Crocodiles are found mainly on Jamaica’s south coast, in mangrove swamps . They eat mainly fish and other small sea creatures like frogs and turtles, but will also eat birds and small mammals.
The Jamaican Iguana (Cyclura colle) is unique to Jamaica and protected as it was previously considered extinct. There is a small group at Hope Zoo in Kingston. They feed on fruit, plants, flowers and berries. It is grey in colour and can reach up to 5 feet long with scales, and spines which run along its back and its head.
There are also close to 300 species of birds in Jamaica, of which about 30 are endemic. Most of Jamaican birds are protected and many of these call Green Castle Estate home.
The other two hummingbirds are the tiny Bee Hummingbird (Beenie Bud) and the purple-black Mango Humming-
The Black-Billed Parrot and the Green-Billed Parrot are two other beautiful birds which are protected by law. They are found mostly in the high elevations of eastern parishes. They feed on fruit, nuts and and berries.
The Jamaican Owl (Pseudoscops grammicus) is unique to the island. It is also known as the Patoo (Patu) or Brown Owl. Like other owls, it is nocturnal.
The most magnificent Jamaican butterfly is the Giant Swallowtail (Pterourus homerus). Found only in Jamaica, it has a 6 inch wing span, making it the second largest butterfly in the world. It is found mainly at high altitudes in the Blue Mountains, John Crow Mountains and Cockpit Country. The Giant Swallowtail has a vivid black and gold colouring, with dark blue circles decorating the lower wings.
There are at least 134 species of butterflies and moths in Jamaica, of which at least 30 are endemic.
There is also a host of other interesting animals like lizards, turtles, bats, scorpions and mongooses.
If variety is the spice of life then it’s abundant in Jamaica!
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