Katie holding a Bimini Boa (Epicrates striatus fosteri)

Along with the amazing marine life that is found around the islands of Bimini, there is another world of extraordinary wildlife moving softly above the water line. Bimini serves as home for an abundance of beautiful terrestrial animals, from birds & reptiles to frogs & bugs.

Some of the reptiles found on Bimini are in fact sub-species of larger populations in the West Indies, and have evolved into unique endemics of the Bimini chain. Bimini's reptiles and amphibians contribute to the exceptional beauty of this island, and give nature enthusiasts and sight-seers an adventure to last through any number of visits to the island.

Below is a list of the Reptiles and Amphibians found on Bimini, with a few notes on their natural history.

Bimini Boa (Epicrates striatus fosteri)
Protected by Bahamian law, the endangered Bimini boa is the largest of the terrestrial reptiles on Bimini. This beautiful endemic snake's existence relies heavily on raising public awareness about it's plight and it's important role in Bimini's culture and ecology. For more information about the Bimini boa, Click Here.

Bimini Island Ground Boa (Tropidophis canus curtus)

Bimini Island Ground Boa
(Tropidophis canus curtus)
The Bimini Ground boa, or Dwarf boa, has been documented on Bimini, New Providence, and the Cay Sal Bank. This elusive boa has only been reported a few times on Bimini, the last time being in the 1950's. Amazingly, in May of 2006 the BBFS caught and tagged two individuals of this species. It was a first for the BBFS, not only to tag one, but just to see it. It's diet includes a variety of frogs & lizards, and it employs an unusual defense of autohemorrhaging from its eyes and mouth when threatened.

Bahamian Brown Racer (Alsophis vudii picticeps)

Bahamian Brown Racer
(Alsophis vudii picticeps)
The Brown Racers are the most common snakes in the Bahamas, and Bimini's beautiful sub-species is often sighted on both South Bimini and North Bimini. Racers are quite active snakes, and can often be found hunting for food in the wooded areas of South Bimini. The BBFS staff has witnessed Brown Racers feeding on Anolis lizards, and even on a Pink Blind Snake (Typhlops biminensis) near a termite mound. The Bahamian Brown Racer is a rear-fanged colubrid snake and is mildly venemous. The Racers' venom is used to immobilize small prey, such as Anolis lizards, and poses little or no threat to humans.

Pink Blind Snake (Typhlops biminensis)

Bahamian Pink Blind Snake (Typhlops biminensis)
The Pink Blind Snakes are more common on Bimini than the Brown Blind Snake, and are often mistaken for earth-worms. They can commonly be found hiding under rocks and logs near ant nests, and around termite mounds, where they can easily feed on the tiny insects inside.

Bahamian Brown Blind Snake
(Typhlops lumbricalis)
The Brown Blind Snake is found on most of the larger islands of the Bahamas, including the Abacos, Andros, the Berry Islands, Eleuthra, Cat Island, Long Island, and throughout the Exuma chain. On Bimini they are most commonly seen in rotting logs, and under rocks.

Bimini Ameiva (Ameiva auberi richmondi)

Bimini Ameiva (Ameiva auberi richmondi)
The sub-species of Bimini Ameiva is a very common sight during the day time, both in the wooded and developed areas of the island. The ameivas are very fast moving lizards, and are likely to quickly flee when approached.

Cuban Twig Anole (Anolis angusticeps)

Cuban Twig Anole (Anolis angusticeps)
The Cuban Twig Anole is found throughout the Bahamas, but is not as commonly seen as some of the other Anolis lizards due to it's camouflage color. The Twig Anole hides easily amongst the branches and stumps of the Bahamian woods, where it feeds upon such small prey as aphids.

Hispaniolan Gracile Anole (Anolis distichus biminensis)

Hispaniolan Gracile Anole (Anolis distichus biminensis)
Bimini's sub-species of Hispaniolan Gracile Anole is a beautiful and common site around the island. This anole is a fast moving, restless lizard that can be found near forested areas as well as near houses and other developed areas. This is another Anolis lizard that is common around the BBFS property.

Cuban Brown Anole (Anolis sagrei)

Cuban Brown Anole (Anolis sagrei)
The Cuban Brown Anoles are another Anolis found throughout the Bahamas. Unlike most of the other anoles on Bimini, which spend most of their time in trees, the Cuban Brown Anoles are more commonly seen on the ground or displaying their dewlaps on the BBFS porch and garden.

Bahamian Green Anole (Anolis smaragdinus lerneri)

Bahamian Green Anole
(Anolis smaragdinus lerneri)
The Green Anoles are very commonly seen around South Bimini during the day time. Most of their day is spent perched on tree branches and leaves, including many of the palm trees scattered around the BBFS yard. Green anoles have excellent camouflage and are quick to hide from people when approached.

Black Dotted Dwarf Gecko (Sphaerodactylus nigropunctatus flavicauda)

Black-Dotted Dwarf Gecko (Sphaerodactylus nigropunctatus flavicauda)
This sub-species, also called the 3-Banded Dwarf Gecko, is found only on the western Great Bahama Bank, and the Cay Sal Bank. Like other S. nigropunctatus, they are common not only in wooded natural areas, but in developed areas as well.

Ocellated Dwarf Gecko (Sphaerodactylus argus)
The Ocellated Gecko is found throughout the West Indies, as well as Southern Florida. Similar to the other two sphaero species found on Bimini, these lizards are most often seen in dry forested areas under rocks and leaf litter.

Reef Gecko (Sphaerodactylus notatus amaurus)

Reef Gecko
(Sphaerodactylus notatus amaurus)
The Reef Geckos are commonly found in dark, shaded areas or under logs and rocks. Sphaero eggs are also a common sight hidden amongst homes and within roof-tops. None of the three species of Dwarf Gecko found on Bimini grow longer than about 6 - 7cm, and they are often mistaken for juveniles of some of the larger lizards on the island.

Tropical House Gecko (Hemidactylus mabouia)

Tropical House Gecko (Hemidactylus mabouia)
The House Gecko, which grows considerably larger than the Sphaerodactylus geckos, is an introduced species to the Bahamas. This gecko is native to tropical Africa, and is most commonly seen around house lights at night, waiting for curious bugs and insects to prey on.

Saw Scaled Curly-Tail Lizard (Leiocephalus carinatus coryi)

Saw Scaled Curly-Tail Lizard (Leiocephalus carinatus coryi)
Curly-Tail Lizards are a very common sight around Bimini, especially on North Bimini. They are an omnivorous feeder, eating such things as flowers, seeds, spiders, roaches, and large quantities of ants.

Greenhouse Frog (Eleutherodactylus planirostris planirostris)

Greenhouse Frog
(Eleutherodactylus planirostris
planirostris)
Only two amphibians have been documented on Bimini, both of which are species of frogs. Greenhouse frogs are found throughout the West Indies, including most of the islands of the Bahamas. They are usually found in damp areas, such as under leaf piles or near gardens. The Greenhouse frogs' diet consists mainly of insects, especially ants. Full grown, these frogs are quite small and are a favorite prey item of some of the reptiles on Bimini, including young Bimini boas.

Cuban Tree Frog (Osteopilus septentrionalis)

Cuban Tree Frog
(Osteopilus septentrionalis)
Cuban Tree frogs are much more commonly seen around Bimini than the Greenhouse frogs, in large part because they grow considerably larger than the Greenhouse frog. During the summer months the distinctive vocalization of these frogs can be heard from seemingly everywhere, both in wooded areas and around homes. The larger size of the Cuban Tree frog accounts for a wider varitey in its diet. They eat beetles, roaches, bugs and even small crustaceans and other other frogs.

Additional Reference:
Schwartz, A., and Henderson, R.W. 1991. Amphibians & Reptiles of the West Indies. University of Florida Press, Gainesville.