The Lizards of Bonaire

The warm climate of Bonaire is exceptionally suitable for lizards. When the sun is high in the sky, they become active. During your stay on Bonaire, you will undoubtedly encounter several species, such as whiptail lizards and iguanas. Those who pay close attention may also discover the anole, a tree lizard that is unique to Bonaire. The spectacled teju does not like the sun and leads a hidden life among the leaves or stones. Bonaire’s geckos also dislike the sun. They are active at night.

We love the beautiful lizards of our island. During our tours in Bonaire’s nature, they certainly play a part.

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The Bonaire Whiptail Lizard (Cnemidophorus ruthveni)

The Bonaire Whiptail Lizard is an endemic species on Bonaire. It is the most common lizard on the island. The appearance of the male and female differs greatly; they seem like two different species. Therefore, they are discussed separately below.

The Male Whiptail Lizard, the Blauw-Blauw

The male whiptail lizard, also known as the Blauw-blauw (Blòblò in Papiamentu) is a striking sight on Bonaire. True to its name (blauw-blauw means blue-blue), this large lizard has a blue head with light spots and a striking blue-green tail. They are true omnivores and excellent climbers. They primarily eat (cactus) fruits and insects, but they also raid bird nests and even mice are not safe from them!

The males are particularly territorial. They do not tolerate other adult males in their territory and will chase them away at high speed. The whiptail lizard can also puff itself up to appear larger and intimidate the intruder. Young males, but especially female whiptail lizards, are welcome in the territory. The male frequently sniffs the females to see if they are ready to mate.

The Female Whiptail Lizard, the Lagadishi

If you encounter a smaller brown lizard on Bonaire, it is a female whiptail lizard. Because the females differ so much from the males, they have a different name in Papiamentu: Lagadishi. Young males closely resemble the females and therefore share the same name in Papiamentu.

The Green Iguana (Iguana iguana)

Green iguanas (Yuana in Papiamentu) are the largest lizards on Bonaire. You encounter them frequently on the island. Most hotels and resorts have a “resident iguana” that tries to entice guests into feeding it. The appearance of a young and an adult iguana differs greatly. Therefore, we will discuss them separately.

The Adult Iguana

Adult iguanas are gray-green with black rings around their tails. They have a prominent crest running along their back. Iguanas can grow incredibly large, up to two meters (six feet) long. In their natural habitat, they feed on leaves and fruits, but iguanas living near humans unfortunately also enjoy cookies and pizza. In Bonaire’s kunuku, iguanas exhibit their natural behavior. They are wary of humans and quickly scamper away on their high legs when approached.

The Young Iguana

If you encounter a bright green (apple green) lizard on Bonaire, it’s a young green iguana. This small lizard looks nothing like its adult counterparts, although they already have that menacing look in their eyes from a young age! Want to learn more about this transformation and their way of life? Read our Photoblog: The Transformations of the Green Iguana.

Iguanas grow up in the shelter of trees and bushes. They blend into the leafy foliage and feed on leaves as well as insects, which provide the proteins needed for their rapid growth.

The Anole (Anolis bonairensis)

The Bonaire Anole, or Ruthven’s Anole (Totèki in Papiamentu), is much harder to spot. However, this brown and black-striped small lizard is common on Bonaire. Its unique camouflage helps it remain unnoticed. They blend not only with the bark of trees or bushes but also with stones. Moreover, these insect-eaters remain silent until the opportunity arises to pounce on prey, of course!

The lizards mentioned in this blog also inhabit Aruba and Curaçao. However, the Anolis lizards of Aruba and Curaçao belong to a different species, the Striped Anole (Anolis lineatus). They have a completely different appearance. Spot the differences!

The Spectacled Teju (Gymnophthalmus lineatus)

The spectacled teju (Kolebra di mispel in Papiamentu) is a dark brown lizard with a red tail tip. It has two distinctive light longitudinal stripes on its slender body. The spectacled teju leads a hidden life under dead leaves and stones, where it finds its favorite meal: insects.

The Cosmopolitan House Gecko

After sunset, the night lizards emerge. The Cosmopolitan House Gecko (Pegapega in Papiamentu) is a light-colored lizard commonly seen on houses. It feeds on insects attracted to outdoor lighting in large numbers. Hemidactylus mabouia is not native to Bonaire but likely arrived on the many slave ships from Africa.

It’s fascinating to see how effortlessly these creatures can climb even the smoothest surfaces. The scales under their toes grip the smallest irregularities. Despite geckos catching many annoying insects, not everyone is fond of these creatures. There’s a wild story that if geckos fall on your body, they immediately suction themselves on. Allegedly, they can only be removed with a hot iron!

The Turnip-tailed Gecko (Thecadactylus rapicaudus)

De turnip-tailed gecko (Pegapega grandi in Papiamentu) is a robustly built gecko that is darkly colored. You’ll encounter it less frequently because this gecko doesn’t use house lights for hunting. It particularly enjoys cockroaches, stalking them before pouncing.

Many lizards have the remarkable ability to shed their tail when threatened by a predator. The detached tail continues to wriggle for a while, diverting the attention of the attacker. This allows the lizard the opportunity to escape. This phenomenon, known as autotomy, is a crucial survival strategy for many lizards. Over time, the tail regenerates, although the new tail typically differs slightly in structure and color from the original. This can be seen in the photo above.

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A Tour With HopiBonaire

During Our tours, we pay close attention to the unique Nature of Bonaire. Of course, we also take time to appreciate the lizards of Bonaire. We know where to find these beautiful creatures and are not deterred by their fantastic camouflage. With a guide, you see, learn, and experience so much more than if you were exploring on your own!

A Tour with HopiBonaire is much more than just a drive around. It’s an exploration full of entertainment, wonder, and unique experiences. Discover the beauty of Bonaire on and off the beaten path with us. Quickly book a tailored experience for you and your group. Get in, and let the enjoyment begin during your adventure with HopiBonaire.

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