A piece of St Martin Wild Life – Anolis pogus

If we were to choose an animal to be the official symbol of St. Martin, the best choice might be this small lizard. It has been given the names Bearded Anole and Anguilla Bank Bush Anole, although neither name is really used on the island.

Anolis Pogus by Mark Yokoyama

Its scientific name is Anolis pogus, and this species lives only on St. Martin, primarily in shady, forested areas. It is considered vulnerable to extinction because of its limited geographic range. Anolis lizards are found on most islands in the Caribbean, where they have evolved into over 150 species, many of which live only on one island. 

It is a small, but beautiful lizard. It can change its color from tan with light blue around its eyes to dark brown or gray with a red face. In ideal habitat, like the forested hills and wet ravines, they can be very common, and are typically seen on the ground or the lower branches of trees or bushes where they sit and wait for insects to eat. At night they typically sleep on leaves, where they are safe from predators walking the forest floor. 

Perhaps it is time to rename this lizard the St. Martin Anole, and recognize it as part of our unique natural heritage, which includes other animal species found nowhere else in the world. Next time you walk through Colombier, or on the trail at Pic Paradis, be sure to look out for this unique lizard. 

To learn more about the wildlife of St. Martin, visit http://www.sxmwildlife.com