






































Iguana b&w text


252 IGUANA  •  VOLUME 13, NUMBER 4  •  DECEMBER 2006

Relationships among West Indian skinks (Mabuya sp.) are poorly understood, and two or more species might occur in the Lesser Antilles.
Skinks may always have been rare on St. Vincent, but diurnally active, ground-dwelling lizards are vulnerable to predation by mon-
gooses. This lizard was photographed in the mongoose-free Grenadines, where the species is more abundant.

TREGLIA

M
A

R
K

 D
E 

SI
LV

A



IGUANA  •  VOLUME 13, NUMBER 4  •  DECEMBER 2006 253

A Note on Conservation
Many of the world’s species of reptiles and amphibians are threat-
ened with extinction. Although most species discussed here
remain abundant on St. Vincent, many conservation issues need
to be addressed. The chytrid fungus is decimating frog popula-
tions throughout Central America, and at least some of the
amphibians on St. Vincent would be susceptible to this epidemic,
if it were to reach the island. Also, snakes on St. Vincent are rou-
tinely killed by local people who believe they are dangerous.

Finally, while the introduction of Anolis sagrei onto St. Vincent
does not appear detrimental to the native species at this time,
other invasions, such as that of the mongoose (Herpestes javani-
cus) have had dire consequences. Public education is the most
important preventative measure against these problems: Travelers
need to be taught about chytrid and how to avoid transporting
it to uninfected areas; local people need to learn that all St.
Vincentian snakes are harmless; and everyone needs to learn
about the problems that almost invariably accompany invasive
species, and how to prevent and minimize invasions.

“In the end we will conserve only what we love; we will
love only what we understand; and we will understand
only what we are taught.”

Baba Dioum, 1968

Frogs (Amphibia: Anura)
Bufo marinus (Linnaeus 1758). Anura: Bufonidae. Cane Toad
(Marine Toad). Probably introduced. This large toad (maximum
female SVL = 225 mm) is the only toad on St. Vincent. It has a
brown dorsum and “warts” all over its body. It was probably
introduced intentionally to control insect populations in sugar-
cane plantations, but it could have arrived as a natural migrant
from the mainland. These toads have been introduced through-
out tropical regions of the world, and have become pests and

An Annotated Checklist 
of the Amphibians and Reptiles 

of St. Vincent, West Indies
Michael L. Treglia

Department of Natural Resources, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA

AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES OF ST. VINCENT

�

St. Vincent (29 x 18 km, 344 km2) is one of the volcanic Windward
Islands of the Lesser Antilles.

JO
H

N
 S

. P
A

R
M

ER
LE

E,
 J

R
.

The Cane Toad (Bufo marinus) was probably introduced intentionally
on St. Vincent to control insect populations in agricultural fields.

JO
H

N
 S

. P
A

R
M

ER
L



254 IGUANA  •  VOLUME 13, NUMBER 4  •  DECEMBER 2006 TREGLIA

major threats to native frogs, with which they compete and on
which they feed. Bufo marinus is found throughout the St.
Vincentian lowlands in a wide variety of habitats that include
urban situations and various moist to dry low-elevation forests.
This species is a generalist predator, feeding on nearly any ani-
mal it can fit in its mouth. During daylight hours they are com-
monly found under cover, but at night they can be seen in the
open, along or on roads and under streetlights, foraging and call-
ing. All toads secrete toxins from skin glands, especially the paro-
toid glands on the backs of their heads, and persons handling B.
marinus should wash their hands thoroughly to mitigate the
chance of adverse reactions.

Eleutherodactylus johnstonei (Barbour 1917). Anura:
Leptodactylidae. Johnstone’s Frog (Lesser Antillean Frog).
Introduced. These small frogs (maximum female SVL = 35 mm)
have become established on many West Indian islands (and else-
where), largely as a consequence of human-mediated transport.
Dorsal coloration is generally some shade of brown, but other
markings are highly variable. While generally occurring in mesic
forests, E. johnstonei can be heard calling (a high-pitched whis-
tle) throughout the night even in urban areas. During a three-
week stay in June 2006, we were never out of earshot of calling
males. These frogs are most abundant in the lowlands, although
they reach the island’s highest elevations, where they may pose
a threat to endemic E. shrevei, which are absent from the low-
lands (although we cannot say with any certainty whether or not
E. johnstonei is responsible for their absence).

Eleutherodactylus shrevei (Schwartz 1967). Anura:
Leptodactylidae. Saint Vincent Frog. Endemic. These small frogs
(maximum female SVL = 40.1 mm; male = 28 mm) are mor-
phologically similar to E. johnstonei, from which they can be
readily distinguished by the presence of bright red color on the
thighs and often on the belly. These frogs are generally found at
higher elevations (> 300 m) and are abundant on the highest
peaks (~980 m), even at the rim of La Soufrière, a volcano active
as recently as 1979. Above the elevations where E. johnstonei is
common, E. shrevei is nearly ubiquitous. It is primarily crepus-
cular and may be heard calling at dusk and into the early night.
The call is comprised of short, loud clicks. Although the range

Introduced Lesser Antillean Frogs (Eleutherodactylus johnstonei) are ubiquitous in the lowlands, although they reach the island’s highest elevations,
where they may pose a threat to endemic E. shrevei. During a three-week stay in June 2006, we were never out of earshot of calling males.

A
LO

N
D

R
A

 D
ÍA

Z
R

O
B

ER
T 

PO
W

EL
L



of E. shrevei prior to the introduction of E. johnstonei is
unknown, E. shrevei may be restricted to higher elevations by
anthropocentric habitat alterations combined with competition
from the more fecund, invasive E. johnstonei. This species, found
nowhere else, may be particularly vulnerable to the chytrid fun-
gus, if it arrives on St. Vincent.

Leptodactylus validus (Garman 1888). Anura: Leptodactylidae.
Windward Ditch Frog. Native. This moderately sized frog (max-
imum female SVL = 51.5 mm; male = 42.9 mm) was recently

separated from the more widely distributed L. wagneri and is
endemic to the Lesser Antilles, where it occurs on the Grenada
and St. Vincent island banks. Considerably larger than the other
anuran species on the island, it is easily distinguished from both
species of Eleutherodactylus by the lack of expanded toe-tips.
Leptodactylus validus is gray to brown with variable markings,
and usually has a distinct fold of skin on either side of its back.
As the common name suggests, these frogs often are associated
with ditches (and small streams) throughout the lowlands, but
its islandwide distribution is not well known.

Lizards (Reptilia: Squamata)
Ameiva ameiva (Linnaeus 1758). Squamata: Teiidae. Neotropical
Ground Lizard. Origin unknown. The origin of these relatively
large lizards (maximum male SVL = 149 mm; female = 141
mm) on St. Vincent is uncertain. They are native to the Grenada
Bank (which includes the Grenadines) and much of the
Neotropical mainland. They are habitat generalists throughout
the range, with a strong preference for open areas, where they
exploit abundant sunlight to maintain high body temperatures
during active periods. Ameiva ameiva is known from only two
sites on St. Vincent (Barrouallie on the leeward side of the island
and Georgetown on the windward coast). The history of popu-
lations on the island is unclear, with the unusual distribution a
possible consequence of extirpation from other lowland habitats
(possibly attributable to mongoose predation) or the result of
separate introductions, probably from one of the Grenadine
islands, where the species is abundant.

IGUANA  •  VOLUME 13, NUMBER 4  •  DECEMBER 2006 255AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES OF ST. VINCENT

Saint Vincent Frogs (Eleutherodactylus shrevei) may be particularly vulnerable to the chytrid fungus, if it becomes established on St. Vincent.

R
O

B
ER

T 
PO

W
EL

L

Windward Ditch Frogs (Leptodactylus validus) are endemic to the
Lesser Antilles, where they occur on the Grenada and St. Vincent
island banks.

R
O

B
ER

T 
PO

W
EL

L



Anolis griseus (Garman 1888). Squamata: Polychrotidae. Saint
Vincent Tree Anole. Endemic. These large anoles (maximum
male SVL = 136 mm; female = 86 mm) are primarily arboreal
and observed 2–8 m above the ground, with females and juve-
niles slightly lower than males. Anolis griseus is widely distributed
throughout the island, but rare or absent where vegetation is
sparse. Although habitats used by A. griseus overlap somewhat
with those of the other native anole, A. trinitatus, it can be dis-
tinguished by its larger size. It is usually some shade of gray or
gray-brown with a mottled dorsum and green or yellow tinges
sometimes present on the limbs and face. The dewlap is dirty

white or light gray. The diet of A. griseus is highly variable, and
includes berries, small arthropods, and occasionally A. trinitatus.

256 IGUANA  •  VOLUME 13, NUMBER 4  •  DECEMBER 2006 TREGLIA

Neotropical Ground Lizards (Ameiva ameiva) are known from only
two sites on St. Vincent (Barrouallie on the leeward side of the island
and Georgetown on the windward coast). The unusual distribution is
a possible consequence of extirpation from other lowland habitats (pos-
sibly attributable to mongoose predation) or the result of separate
introductions.

D
A

V
ID

 S
TE

IN
B

ER
G

JO
H

N
 S

. P
A

R
M

ER
LE

E,
 J

R
.

M
A

R
K

 D
E 

SI
LV

A

Saint Vincent Tree Anoles (Anolis griseus) have a highly variable diet
that includes berries, small invertebrates, and occasionally smaller
anoles.

JO
H

N
 S

. P
A

R
M

ER
LE

E,
 J

R
.

JO
H

N
 S

. P
A

R
M

ER
LE

E,
 J

R
.

R
O

B
ER

T 
PO

W
EL

L



IGUANA  •  VOLUME 13, NUMBER 4  •  DECEMBER 2006 257

Anolis sagrei (Dumeril and Bibron 1837). Squamata:
Polychrotidae. Cuban Brown Anole. Introduced. These moder-
ately sized anoles (maximum male SVL = 70 mm; female = 46
mm) are the only brown anole on St. Vincent (although A. trini-
tatus is dichromatic and occasionally may be brown). They have
stocky bodies, and a diamond or mottled dorsal pattern is usu-
ally present. Dewlaps are a deep brick red. First documented on
St. Vincent in 2005, A. sagrei was presumably introduced within

the previous two or three years with shipments of building mate-
rials from Florida, where it is well-established. Populations occur
near the docks in Kingstown and Campden Park and in the
Montrose neighborhood, where they presumably arrived with
construction materials. All of these sites consist of dramatically
disturbed, open habitats with sparse, generally low vegetation
and rubble, which these lizards readily exploit. Anolis sagrei does
occur with the similarly sized A. trinitatus in many of these areas,

AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES OF ST. VINCENT

A
LE

JA
N

D
R

O
 S

Á
N

C
H

EZ

Recently introduced Cuban Brown Anoles (Anolis sagrei) currently are restricted to dramatically disturbed, open habitats with sparse, generally low
vegetation and rubble.

C
H

R
IS

TO
PH

ER
 M

A
LL

ER
Y



258 IGUANA  •  VOLUME 13, NUMBER 4  •  DECEMBER 2006 TREGLIA

but the presence of A. sagrei has had little observable effect on
native species to date, although A. trinitatus may be forced to use
higher perches in the presence of A. sagrei (similar to the effects
on A. carolinensis in the southeastern United States). Long-term
effects of the invasion of A. sagrei are not yet clear.

Anolis trinitatus (Reinhardt and Lütken 1863). Squamata:
Polychrotidae. Saint Vincent Bush Anole. Endemic. These mod-
erately sized anoles (maximum male SVL = 74 mm; females = 57
mm) are nearly ubiquitous throughout St. Vincent, found in all
but the most heavily disturbed, sparsely vegetated habitats.
Populations have become established on Trinidad, primarily in
suburban or urban gardens and similar artificial habitats. Perches
range from ground level to 2 m, with males often perching higher
than females and juveniles. Coloration varies from bright green
to yellowish green, or even blue with occasional grayish mottling.
Dewlaps are usually yellow, but individuals at some locations
have white dewlaps. These anoles primarily consume a variety of
small invertebrates, often including a large number of ants.

Gymnophthalmus underwoodi (Grant 1958) Squamata:
Gymnophthalmidae. Smooth-scaled Worm Lizard. Presumably
native. These small, ground-dwelling lizards (maximum SVL =
43 mm) have smooth scales and are some shade of brown or
grayish brown. They seem to prefer relatively dry, open habitats
where they forage for small invertebrates in leaf litter. This is an
all-female species, with eggs developing without fertilization
(parthenogenesis). This reproductive mode can facilitate colo-
nization of new areas, as only one individual is necessary to
establish a population. Populations occur on the Neotropical
mainland and are known from a number of Lesser Antillean
islands. Although some of the latter are undoubtedly attributa-
ble to human-mediated transport, others may have been estab-
lished as a consequence of natural over-water dispersal, presum-
ably on flotsam. These lizards are abundant in suitable habitats
throughout the island.

Hemidactylus mabouia (Moreau de Jonnés 1818). Squamata:
Gekkonidae. Cosmopolitan House Gecko. Origin unknown,
populations may represent a combination of animals that arrived
naturally via over-water dispersal or human-mediated transport.
These moderately sized geckos (maximum male SVL = 68 mm)
function as human commensals, and are essentially ubiquitous in
buildings and other artificial structures, including piles of debris.
Because of their close association with humans, populations
occur throughout the tropics as individuals accompany humans
and their cargos. Ancestors of House Geckos originated in Africa;
American populations range throughout the Neotropical main-
land and the West Indies, and the species has become established
in Florida and other regions. These nocturnal geckos feed on
insects, and often forage around artificial lights (the “night-light
niche”). The only species on St. Vincent with which H. mabouia
might be confused is Thecadactylus rapicauda, which is much
larger and generally lives in forested habitats. 

Iguana iguana (Linnaeus 1758). Squamata: Iguanidae. Green
Iguana (Common Iguana). Native. These large lizards (maxi-
mum SVL = 500 mm) are found in varied habitats that include

Male Saint Vincent Bush Anoles (Anolis trinitatus) are intensely terri-
torial. The male (middle) responds to an intruder before the resident
and intruder face-off (bottom).

R
O

B
ER

T 
PO

W
EL

L
R

O
B

ER
T 

PO
W

EL
L

R
O

B
ER

T 
PO

W
EL

L



xeric lowlands and mesic highlands, but their distribution is not
well documented on St. Vincent. Where present, iguanas usu-
ally are found along forest edges that provide ready access to sun-
light. Although commonly called “Green” Iguanas, these lizards
are quite variable in color, ranging from bright green to grayish
brown or brownish orange, often with dark transverse stripes or
bars. Iguanas have large dorsal crests, and a dewlap that is typi-
cally green, but sometimes red or orange, or green with black
streaks. Green Iguanas are hunted for food on St. Vincent, and
a defined season exists. The apparently localized concentrations
of animals may reflect differential hunting pressure.

Mabuya sp. Squamata: Scincidae. Lesser Antillean Skink
(Slipperyback). Presumably native. Relationships among West
Indian skinks are poorly understood, and two or more species
might occur in the Lesser Antilles. Until genetic studies are avail-
able to clarify the status of populations on different islands,
assignments to species are at best tentative. These moderately
sized lizards (maximum SVL ~ 175 mm) have smooth, shiny
scales, which are associated with small bones embedded in the
skin. Primary ground color is brown. Little is known about St.
Vincentian populations, but skinks are generally associated with
leaf litter and assorted debris, but also may be found along rock

IGUANA  •  VOLUME 13, NUMBER 4  •  DECEMBER 2006 259AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES OF ST. VINCENT

Smooth-scaled Worm Lizards (Gymnophthalmus underwoodi) are all females. Eggs develop without fertilization (parthenogenesis). This reproduc-
tive mode can facilitate colonization of new areas, as only one individual is necessary to establish a population.

R
O

B
ER

T 
PO

W
EL

L
M

A
R

K
 D

E 
SI

LV
A

Cosmopolitan House Geckos (Hemidactylus mabouia) function as human commensals. Because of this close association with humans, populations
occur throughout the tropics as individuals accompany humans and their goods.

R
O

B
ER

T 
PO

W
EL

L



walls and buildings. These lizards eat insects and other small
arthropods. Their apparent rarity on St. Vincent may be a nat-
ural phenomenon, but diurnally active, ground-dwelling lizards
are vulnerable to predation by mongooses, which have appar-
ently caused the extirpation of some insular populations.

Sphaerodactylus vincenti (Boulenger 1891). Squamata:
Gekkonidae. Windward Dwarf Gecko. Native. These small
geckos (maximum SVL = 40 mm) are locally abundant in leaf
litter habitats that are generally moister than those occupied by
Gymnophthalmus underwoodi. Primarily active by day, these
diminutive predators feed on a variety of small invertebrates.
Windward Dwarf Geckos have a brown dorsum, sometimes
with a reddish cast and often with dark flecks. The venter is pale
gray to purple. Light-blue rings often surround the eyes.

Thecadactylus rapicauda (Houttuyn 1782). Squamata:
Gekkonidae. Turnip-tailed Gecko. Native. These large geckos
(maximum SVL = 121 mm) acquired their common name
because regenerated tails resemble turnips. They occupy diverse
habitats ranging from dry and mesic forests and plantations to
urban situations, although they are much less abundant in the
latter than Hemidactylus mabouia. A mottled gray dorsum pro-
vides excellent camouflage against the lichens found on many
forest trees. Although sometimes encountered by day, when they
may emerge from refuges to bask, like most geckos, they are pri-
marily active at night, when they forage for insects.

Snakes (Reptilia: Squamata)
Chironius vincenti (Boulenger 1891). Squamata: Colubridae.
Saint Vincent Racer. Endemic. Little is known about these long,
slender snakes (maximum SVL = 1070 mm). They appear to be
associated primarily with rainforest habitats at moderate eleva-
tions (> 135 m), and are presumably semi-arboreal, which may
provide some protection from predation by mongooses, which
do not climb well. These snakes forage by day and presumably
prey primarily on frogs and their eggs. This species is readily dis-
tinguished from others on the island by their uniform, slate
black dorsum and a pale, dirty yellow venter. These snakes are
rarely seen and may always have been rare, although predation
by mongooses and habitat alteration may be responsible for their
apparent scarcity.

Corallus cookii (Gray 1842). Squamata: Boidae. Saint Vincent
Treeboa. Endemic. These arboreal snakes (maximum SVL =
1374 mm) are active at night and rarely seen during the day. A

260 IGUANA  •  VOLUME 13, NUMBER 4  •  DECEMBER 2006 TREGLIA

M
A

R
K

 D
E 

SI
LV

A

Green Iguanas (Iguana iguana) usually occur along forest edges that
provide ready access to sunlight. These lizards are hunted for food on
St. Vincent, and a defined season exists. The apparently localized con-
centrations of animals may reflect differential hunting pressure.

C
A

R
LO

S 
R

O
D

R
ÍG

U
EZ

Windward Dwarf Geckos (Sphaerodactylus vincenti) are locally abundant in leaf litter habitats that are generally moister than those occupied by
Gymnophthalmus underwoodi.

R
O

B
ER

T 
PO

W
EL

L



IGUANA  •  VOLUME 13, NUMBER 4  •  DECEMBER 2006 261AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES OF ST. VINCENT

bright red reflection is elicited from their eyes when caught in a
beam of light at night. Dorsal ground color is variable, but gen-
erally ranges from reddish in juveniles, to taupe, gray, or dark
brown in adults. An hourglass-shaped pattern is evident in
nearly all individuals. The diet of small C. cookii consists almost
exclusively of anoles, with larger snakes shifting to rodents.
These snakes remain widely distributed in lowlands and to ele-
vations of about 450 m. Treeboas appear to have adjusted
remarkably well to many human-mediated habitat alterations,
and are very common in suburban gardens. One essential habi-
tat feature is that tree canopies be contiguous.

Mastigodryas bruesi (Barbour 1914). Squamata: Colubridae.
Windward Racer. Native. These long, slender snakes (maximum

SVL = 830 mm) are semi-arboreal, and generally are found in rel-
atively dry habitats, which include forests and plantations. They
are not infrequently encountered in gardens and other urban/
suburban situations. Active by day, these snakes eat frogs and
lizards, and sleep at night in trees and bushes to heights of about
5 m. The dorsal ground color is generally bluish-gray to brown,
with light lateral stripes and dark eyelines. Ventral color is much
lighter, but varies from white to dirty yellow. Their arboreal ten-
dencies may protect these harmless snakes to some extent from
mongoose predation, to which they are nevertheless vulnerable
due to their diurnal activity.

Turtle (Reptilia: Chelonia)
Geochelone carbonaria (Spix 1824). Testudines: Testudinidae.
Red-footed Tortoise. Origin unknown, populations may repre-
sent a mixture of animals that trace their ancestry to individuals
arriving via natural over-water dispersal, human-mediated trans-
port by Amerindians or early European colonists, and recently
escaped or released pets. Tortoises are exploited for food and for
the pet trade throughout much of their native range, which
encompasses large portions of northern South America and
many Lesser Antillean islands. These turtles (maximum shell
length = 512 mm) are diurnal, and generally inhabit forests,
although they may venture into adjacent grasslands. Their high-
domed shells are characteristic of terrestrial turtles (they seem to
deter many predators and also serve to reduce surface areas
through which moisture is lost to the environment). Front limbs
are powerful, spade-like, and capable of digging extensive bur-
rows. Hindlimbs are columnar. Males have indented lower shells
to facilitate mating. Red-footed Tortoises feed on a wide variety
of plant matter, insects or other small invertebrates, and carrion.
Even on islands where tortoises are common, they are rarely
encountered, rendering the determination of their abundance
difficult.

Acknowledgments
Students and faculty of the 2006 Avila University REU Program
helped in the field and shared insights and data. Robert Powell
and Robert W. Henderson commented on earlier versions of the

R
O

B
ER

T 
PO

W
EL

L

The mottled gray dorsum of Turnip-tailed Geckos (Thecadactylus rapi-
cauda) provides excellent camouflage against the lichens found on
many forest trees.

R
O

B
ER

T 
PO

W
EL

L

Saint Vincent Racers (Chironius vincenti) are rarely seen and may
always have been rare, although predation by mongooses and habitat
alteration may be responsible for their apparent scarcity. This is the first
published photograph of a live animal.

A
M

O
S 

G
LA

SG
O

W
, S

V
G

 F
O

R
ES

TR
Y

 D
EP

A
R

TM
EN

T



manuscript. Permits to conduct research on St. Vincent were
issued by the Department of Forestry, St. Vincent and the
Grenadines. Brian Johnson, Director, Department of Forestry,
Cornelius Richards, Amos Glasgow, and especially FitzGerald
Providence facilitated our efforts. Fieldwork was funded by a
grant from the National Science Foundation (U.S.A.) to Robert
Powell (DBI-0242589).

References
Accounts in the Catalogue of American Amphibians and Reptiles
provide extensive lists of pertinent references.

Corke, D. 1992. The status and conservation needs of the terrestrial herpeto-
fauna of the Windward Islands (West Indies). Biological Conservation
62:47–58.

Ernst, C.H. and T.E.J. Leuteritz. 1999. Geochelone carbonaria. Catalogue of
American Amphibians and Reptiles (690):1–7.

Frost, D.R. 2004. Amphibian Species of the World: An Online Reference.
Version 3.0 (22 August, 2004). Electronic Database. <http://research.
amnh.org/herpetology/amphibia/index.html>. American Museum of
Natural History, New York, USA.

Greene, B.T., R. Powell, and R.W. Henderson. 2003. Mastigodryas bruesi.
Catalogue of American Amphibians and Reptiles (777):1–3.

Hedges, B. and R. Powell. 2004. Eleutherodactylus shrevei. In IUCN 2004. 2004
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. <www.iucnredlist.org>.

Henderson, R.W. 1993. Corallus enydris. Catalogue of American Amphibians and
Reptiles (576):1–6. Note that Corallus cookii was considered a subspecies
of C. enydris (= C. hortulanus) at the time this account was written.

Henderson, R.W. 1996. Chironius vincenti. In IUCN 2004. 2004 IUCN Red
List of Threatened Species. <www.iucnredlist.org>.

Henderson, R.W. 2002. Neotropical Treeboas: Natural History of the Corallus 
hortulanus Complex. Krieger Publishing Co., Malabar, Florida.

Henderson, R.W. 2004. Lesser Antillean snake faunas: Distribution, ecology,
and conservation. Oryx 38:311–320.

Henderson, R.W. and G.T. Haas. 1993. Status of the West Indian snake
Chironius vincenti. Oryx 27:181–184.

262 IGUANA  •  VOLUME 13, NUMBER 4  •  DECEMBER 2006 TREGLIA

R
O

B
ER

T 
PO

W
EL

L

Saint Vincent Treeboas (Corallus cookii) remain widely distributed in lowlands and to elevations of about 450 m. They appear to have adjusted
remarkably well to many human-mediated habitat alterations.

R
O

B
ER

T 
PO

W
EL

L



IGUANA  •  VOLUME 13, NUMBER 4  •  DECEMBER 2006 263AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES OF ST. VINCENT

Henderson, R.W. and R. Powell. 1996. Chironius vincenti. Catalogue of American
Amphibians and Reptiles (635):1–2.

Henderson, R.W. and R. Powell. 1999. West Indian herpetoecology, pp.
223–268. In: B.I. Crother (ed.), Caribbean Amphibians and Reptiles.
Academic Press, San Diego, California.

Henderson, R.W. and R. Powell. 2001. Responses by the West Indian herpeto-
fauna to human-influenced resources. Caribbean Journal of Science
37:41–54.

Henderson, R.W., R.A. Sajdak, and R.M. Henderson. 1988. The rediscovery of
the West Indian colubrid snake Chironius vincenti. Amphibia-Reptilia
9:415–416.

Kaiser, H. and J.D. Hardy, Jr. 1994. Eleutherodactylus johnstonei. Catalogue of
American Amphibians and Reptiles (581):1–5.

Powell, R. 2004. Conservation of iguanas (Iguana delicatissima and I. iguana) in
the Lesser Antilles. Iguana 11:238–246.

Powell, R., R.I. Crombie, and H.E.A. Boos. 1998. Hemidactylus mabouia.
Catalogue of American Amphibians and Reptiles (674):1–11.

Powell, R. and R.W. Henderson. 2005. Conservation status of Lesser Antillean
reptiles. Iguana 12:62–77.

Powell, S.D., M.L. Treglia, R.W. Henderson, and R. Powell. In press. Treeboas
in the West Indies: Responses of Corallus cookii and C. grenadensis to dis-

turbed habitats. In: R.W. Henderson and R. Powell (eds.), Biology of the
Boas and Pythons. Eagle Mountain Publishing, Eagle Mountain, Utah. 

Russell, A.P. and A.M. Bauer. 2002. Thecadactylus rapicauda. Catalogue of
American Amphibians and Reptiles (753):1–16.

Schwartz, A. and R.W. Henderson. 1991. Amphibians and Reptiles of the West
Indies: Descriptions, Distributions, and Natural History. University of
Florida Press, Gainesville.

Williamson, K.E. and R. Powell. 2004. Gymnophthalmus underwoodi. Catalogue
of American Amphibians and Reptiles (793):1–5.

R
O

B
ER

T 
PO

W
EL

L

The arboreal tendencies of Windward Racers (Mastigodryas bruesi) may
protect these harmless snakes to at least some extent from mongoose
predation.

R
O

B
ER

T 
PO

W
EL

L

M
A

R
K

 D
E 

SI
LV

A

Lesser Antillean populations of Red-footed Tortoises (Geochelone car-
bonaria) may represent a mixture of animals that trace their ancestry
to individuals arriving via natural over-water dispersal, human-medi-
ated transport by Amerindians or early European colonists, and
recently escaped or released pets. The individual in the lower photo-
graph is a hatchling.

R
O

B
ER

T 
PO

W
EL

L




