A BIGHT resident, Keno Clarke discovered a Cuban knight anole lizard in his backyard attempting to attack his pet cat.
The species of lizard is indigenous to Cuba. It was first brought to the country hidden in imported plants and is classified as an invasive species by the Department of Environment and Coastal Resources (DECR).
Clarke said he thought the animal was an invasive species that was either brought to the country as a pet and escaped, or was released into the TCI’s natural environment.
He added that his first instinct was to protect his pet, but was intrigued by the look of the animal as he had never seen one like it before.
Bryan Naqqi Manco, a DECR expert on invasive species, explained that the animal was introduced to the TCI a few years ago before agricultural laws were strictly enforced.
He said: “Anyone who is importing plants or animal commodities is required to go through a process with the Department of Agriculture; with exotic species like lizards and snakes or small animals.
“This is often reviewed by the Department of Environment and Coastal Resources too.
“We now have in place a lot more restrictions on imported plants and the Department of Agriculture is a lot more vigilant now that they have the capacity to inspect shipments.
“These lizards made it here before the department was functional and active.”
Naqqi Manco explained that the lizards are a major threat to the Islands because of their large appetites and lack of fear.
“They are not animals that are too much bothered by predators in their native environment. They do not have much fear of anything,” he said.
“They will eat other lizards, small mammals, birds; including nestlings and eggs. They will eat some vegetation, but mostly other animals.
“They are a threat to our native lizards and snakes, to other birds and they can be a small threat to people, just in the manner that they will bite very hard.”
The DECR is urging anyone who comes across a plant or animal that seems unfamiliar to the TCI, to take a picture of it and contact the office immediately.
The public is advised to not try to catch, trap or touch unfamiliar plants or animals because they may be poisonous or aggressive.
The knight anole is a species of lizard in the Polychrotidae family, and the largest species of anole. Other common names include Cuban knight anole.
It grows to a length of 13 to 20 inches including the tail. A few specimens have reached up to 24 inches.
