Hello Sunsette,

There aren't tons of reptiles just hanging around, we haven't been invaded :).

At Marriott, there are usually iguanas sunning out in the foliage (I've seen sometimes 5 or 6 and sometimes 12 or so... likely there were more, just thats what I counted) and on the steps leading from the pool down to the ferry dock (I've seen usually just one or two there).

You wouldn't see snakes, the Virgin Islands tree boa is federally endangered, next to never seen.

Lizards are common. I see them daily.

Iguanas, I could see them daily as they hang out in the trees around where I live. But in terms of when I am out and about... I see one maybe once a month scurrying accross a road... more in dry season as they come out of the bushes seeking water.

If you can put yourself to look at some pictures of our local flora & fauna including one iguana picture - click here: https://www.vinow.com/general_usvi/flora_fauna/

You are likely to see a lizard or iguana while here... but not hundreds of them.

--Islander

Sorry, but small lizards are everywhere there is foliage. You will see them all the time.

I have the same phobia, especially snakes. The creatures with feet don't bother me so much, but the snakes cause me to nearly have a nervous breakdown. Just can't help it, as much as I've tried. We are staying at the Maho Tent Camp and have been reassured that no snakes will be seen. Is this true???

just got back yesterday after a week...stayed at Morningstar Beach Resort which is part of the Marriott. Yes, there are iguanas. and in no way were they harmful...they didn't bother u, just soemthing to look at.

we had small kids with us and they loved it..very cool

Sunsette,

I'm a fairly macho old dude. I still hate snakes and thought I hated lizards, geckos etc. After years of exposure to geckos I've started to see them likes the grasshoppers we have here in the northland. Totally harmless, keep the mosquitoes in check and actually quite cute. A few years ago I was in Panama and had a room on the second floor of the hotel. Went to bed after a few toddys at the pool. Went to set my bedside alarm, lifted it up and a tiny little gecko scampered off. In the morning when the alarm went off I reached for the clock and the same little critter scampered off again. The A/C was very cold in the room so I suppose this was the warmest place for him/her.

Please don't be afraid of these little critters and just look at the whole thing as an adventure. If you want to see cats,dogs, and goldfish...stay home....if you know what I mean. Don't know where you're from but I would be alot more afraid of a woodtick.

Come on down, relax, and enjoy.

Been here over 7 years and still haven't seen a snake. Stayed at Maho a coupla times, too. Although I saw a centipede/milipede thing that I thought was a snake cuz it was so huge! But only saw one of those. Forget about it and come on down!

I'm not being a smarty pants at all, but cognitive behavioral therapy can work wonders for phobias. If your best friends wedding is important to you, I would seriously suggest seeing someone about systematic desensitization. When you go to great lengths to avoid a phobic object, that is considered at the clinical level and you could easily get help!! 🙂

Sunsette.....time for a breakthrough here! With the help of the contributors to this board, we can get you throught this! If you see a snake...take a picture quickly! There probably hasn't been a picture of one in years. Most of the little lizards blend in to their environment so well you have to REALLY LOOK to see them. Iguanas on the other hand are somewhat dinosauric and you can see them in the trees. My wife used to somewhat afraid of them until...she found out that they love to eat the blossoms of the hibiscus. The first one that she fed she was terrified. They take it from your hand very gingerly, remember they are probably more afraid of you! I have a great series of pictures of her feeding them at Limetree. (If they were digital I would post them) Enjoy the Islands and your friends wedding!

In November we stayed at Secret Harbour near Red Hook. Lizards and Iguanas were everywhere. Sunning on the sidewalks, in the foilage and trees, on the beach. No..... it was not like something out of a horror flick where there were thousands of them, but quite honestly you don't have to look hard to see them.

If you have a phobia about them I guess I really can't relate. But try to touch one and they will take off like a flash. In other words, they will not want any parts of you. Maybe they have a phobia about humans.

In the 3 times I was in USVI, I only saw one snake. It was a water snake swimming about 2 feet below me while I was snorkeling at Sapphire Beach. It was a little thing..... maybe 1 and 1/2 to 2 feet long. I stopped for a moment and let it move on.

TMax

TMax: There are no sea snakes in the Atlantic and Caribbean. I'll bet you saw a young eel!

There are small garden snakes on the East End, maybe 6-12". These are harmless. But, Sunsette, there are lizards and iguanas. I have to agree with Kasey, if it is going to ruin your stay, desensitization therapy can help!

Everyone, thank you so much for responding. It is great to know this forum has many active participants. I have been looking through lots of people's vacation photos of st thomas hoping that the beauty of st thomas will give me courage : )

Yes, I will think about therapy because I haven't been able to figure out where and why I have this phobia. I'm such a city-girl! *sighs* but thanks for your suggestions & support!

sunsette from Philadelphia

East Ender:

It sure looked like a snake to me but.... I guess it could have been an eel. Either way it sort of freaked me out because it was very close to me. I just stopped swimming and waited for it to pass.

I'm curious though. Why are there no sea snakes in the Atlantic or Caribbean?

TMax

Hello TMax,

Found a good bit on this at:

http://www.fascinatingearth.com/Seagoing%20Snakes.htm

--Islander

Islander:

Very interesting reading. Thanks for posting.

TMax

Just found a snake outside my condo today, small, brown and fast, I live near Mountain Top, and I have seen snakes before on the Northside, nothing big, and they always run the other way. P.S. What do they (snakes) eat?

Though there are few snakes in the Virgin Islands. Most survive on young, white, females. The more you are afraid of them, the more you shrink up and the more easy you are to swallow. Oh...Just Kidding of Course.

Don't fret Sharon, there are no snakes on STJ to the best of my knowledge. Why? Because years ago the imported mongooses (who look like ferrets) ate them all. We've stayed at Maho 3 times and saw: tons of birds, lots of cute little anolis, lots of land crabs. Me- I can't cope at all with flying, stinging insects and if I heard that STJ had many of those, forget it, I'd stay home. HOWEVER, I ended up getting stung on St Martin about 2 years ago by a very large wasp( ball wasp?), got a horrific bite, very scary but I survived after realizing my worst nightmare. Again, no snakes, come on down and enjoy

Is that mongooses or mongeese?

It is "de mongoose dem."