Curacao, a Lower Dutch Antilles country, is located in the south Caribbean Sea and the Dutch Caribbean region. It’s about 65 kilometers north of Venezuela’s coast. You can expect some exotic animals on the island.
Curacao’s semi-arid climate has prevented the support of many tropical species of birds, mammals, and lizards that are associated with rainforests. Numerous species of hummingbirds and bananaquits, as well as larger terns and egrets and even flamingos call Curacao home. Curacao is home to the Trupial, a black bird that has bright orange underbelly, white swatches and white wings. The mockingbird is called Chuchubi (Papiamentu) and has a long, white-grey tail with a grey back. The big-billed brown pelicans, which feed on fish near shorelines are also found on the island. There are many other seabirds, including large cormorants and gulls.
The white-tailed deer is Curacao’s most prominent animal, apart from field mice, small rabbits and cave bats. This deer is closely related to the American whitetail deer or Virginia deer. It can be found all over North America, Central America, the Caribbean and even Bolivia. The deer can grow to six feet long and three feet tall, and it can weigh up to 300 pounds. It is the only species of deer found on the island. Since 1926, it has been protected and around 200 of them live on Curacao. You can find them in many places on the island, most notably in the west end’s Christoffel Park where 70% of their herd lives. According to archaeologists, the deer arrived in Curacao from South America by the Arawaks, its original inhabitants.
We will highlight our favorite wild animals you can spot on the island.
Iguanas
You will find a variety of species of iguanas on the island, including a light-colored one with shimmering aqua on the sides and belly. They can be found lying in the sun all over the island. Curacao’s iguanas are a beautiful attraction. However, unlike other islands, they continue to be hunted for food. A number of inlets along the island’s west shore have been made home to breeding sea turtles. Park rangers can accompany you to visit these turtles, which are protected in Shete Boka Park.
Iguanas are fond of the dry-wet climate. They love Curacao fiddle. They can be found nearly everywhere. They can be found on the roadside or on the roadsides. Many are unfortunately run over. The iguana population is so large that locals even go to the area to hunt them and make delicious iguana soup. Who wouldn’t want to see a variety of iguanas? This iguana stops at the Bahia Hotel once and then sits on the restaurant’s terrace. The iguanas are found under the tables as well as in the trees. But it’s not too late. The iguanas, which are second only to the sloth in terms of laziness, are the most lazy animal. They are also fed at the restaurant so that they can be represented as many as possible.
Flamingos
Flamingos are also found on Curacao. They have long and thin with a long neck, long legs, and pink plumage. Upstanding Flamingos can be up from 90 cm to 155 cm high. The neck and legs of the males are larger than females and the absorption of carotenoids is what gives the plumage its pink color. These carotenoids are mostly used in planktonic alga. These carotenoids can be converted by the Flamingo organism using enzymes found in the liver. This results in many pigments, including canthaxanthin which is absorbed into the skin and feathers adult flamingos. Young birds develop a gray plumage, with very few or no pink pigments.
Although flamingos can swim, they are not very good swimmers. They can even swim in deeper water because of her long legs. They keep their neck extended and the wings are beaten fast and often.
Did you know that their flying speeds can reach up to 50-60 km/h? Flamingos often make energy-saving V formations in groups. Some running steps can be done before and after landing.
Hummingbirds
We love these amazing creatures: the hummingbirds is performed at a high frequency, 40 to 50 wing beats per minute. They can also fly with their movable wings to get nectar. You can fly sideways or backwards. Hummingbirds have a hand that is larger than their upper and lower arms, which is in stark contrast to other bird species. The hummingbird can fly in almost any conceivable position thanks to this and extreme mobility in its elbow and shoulder. This takes the hummingbird less than 25% of its total weight. Did you know that they love yellow and reddish flowers?
Turtles
Five of the seven species of turtles found in the oceans around Curacao are among the seven that live in the seas. The turtles you might be able to see are:
• The Green Turtle
• The Loggerhead Turtle
• The Leatherback Turtle
• The Hawksbill Turtle
Be careful with these creatures, because they are all threatened. The leatherback turtle is a deep-water species that was rarely seen. However, the three other species can be spotted while snorkeling or diving. The biggest turtle of above mentioned spieces will be: The endangered hawksbill turtle which can grow to 90 cm in length and weigh up to 75kg.
.png){kind=small}
