Hans Lollik Island - Reptiles and Amphibians

Reptiles and Amphibians

The herpetofauna of Hans Lollik has not been well studied, but species composition should closely resemble that of St. Thomas. Several species of lizards, common on nearby islands, have never been documented on Hans Lollik. During a 1990s survey, sight records of three previously unrecorded reptiles were established: two lizards (Ameiva exul and Anolis pulchellus) and a snake (Liophis portoricensis). Another lizard, Anolis stratulus, was collected for the first time. Lizards previously documented include: Anolis critatellus and Sphaerodactylus macrolepus.

Based on their distribution and habitat requirements on surrounding islands, one might expect the following species to be present as well: Iguana iguana, Hemidactylus mabouia, Mabuya mabouya, and Amphisbaena fenestrata. Iguana pinguis, a species endemic to the Puerto Rico Bank, has been extirpated from most developed islands in the region, but might survive on one or more of the islands in the study area. Two snakes found on St. Thomas might occur on Hans Lollik: Typhlops richardii and Liophis exequuis. Liophis portoricensis (a lizard-eating ground snake) has been reduced in numbers or extirpated on the large islands within its range. Geochelone carbonaria, the red-legged tortoise, has not been recorded but may be present.

No amphibians are known to live on Hans Lollik, but it is possible that one or more species of cocqui (Eleutherodactylus) occurs there. These tiny frogs create foam nests to protect their eggs and tadpoles from desiccation and standing freshwater is not required for reproduction while adult frogs hide in damp areas, such as the leaf bases of bromeliads, to avoid xeric conditions.