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Thursday 1 augusT 2024 locAl
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Sun catchers: The different lizards in Aruba

ORANJESTAD – Colorful or of the night. eatus) that lives in Aruba is
camouflaged, you’re bound known locally as Waltaka
to encounter a variety of The Pega-pega Phyllodacty- or Toteki. This is a species of
lizards basking in the sun lus Julieni is also a protected lizard in the family Dactyloi-
or scurrying on their way in species in Aruba, by law. It is dae, and they are native to
our island. From the charm- illegal to kill them! Aruba and Curaçao. It is usu-
ing, friendly iguanas to the ally found in dry areas, com-
good-luck gecko Pega-Pe- Blue Kododo monly where there are not
ga, you’re bound to meet a These are one of the most large trees; rather they enjoy
few of these special residents striking lizards in Aruba, rec- rocks, walls or tree trunks, as
during your visit. ognizable by the male’s they prefer to stay close to
bright blue color. The Aruban the ground.
Aruba, as a desert island, is whiptail lizard, Cnemidopho-
home to an incredible va- rus arubensis, is a species en- These lizards are about 7cm
riety of unique and colorful demic to Aruba, meaning in length, have a brown color
species. Among them we you can only find it here on with a stripe on each side
can find different lizards, our One Happy Island! They and typically, several stripes
most of which have South trade is regulated through faces. Some can even walk are also recognized as the on the body and tail that
American origins. But there the CITES permit system. around completely upside most common and populous are lighter in color. It has a
are a few exceptions. In the past, Arubans used down. Its toes are covered lizard on the island. While the dewlap which is orange-
to eat a popular Yuwana with ridges, which are pep- male is blue with white dots, yellow – and what’s unique
Iguanas soup, as it was believed pered with millions of micro- the female is brown with blue about this species is that it
Iguanas are easy to spot, to give strength and help scopic bristle-like structures dots. is the only known species of
as they are larger than restore health – probably called setae that attach and anole where the dewlap is
most other lizards and when due to the protein boost it detach when the animal wills These charming lizards eat asymetrically colored, with
young, have a bright green delivered. However, it is now them to, and they never get mostly plants, such as flow- one side being a deeper
color that makes them stand illegal to catch, kill, buy or sell gunked up. ers, nectar, leaves and fruits, orange and the other side
out. Yuwanas in Aruba, and this and occasionally enjoy some a lighter yellow. Mostly this
includes eating them! They are variable in color- insects. They are selective in is seen in the males, as it is
The iguanas usually found ation, from a mottled dark which plants they eat, be- almost imperceptible in the
in Aruba are the Iguana Turnip-tailed gecko gray to orange-brown, and cause of the toxins present females. If the Toteki shows
iguana, known as the green The turnip-tailed gecko is are capable of chang- in many available plants spe- you his dewlap, retreat! This
iguana, or locally as Yuwana. known locally as the Pega- ing color depending on cies. The Kododo help take is not a friendly greeting!
The Yuwana are a mostly Pega, meaning sticky-sticky, their mood and surround- care of Aruba’s vegetation
herbivorous species, and due to the way it sticks to ings. Mottled and banded by playing a significant role Lizards are wonderful crea-
can grow up to 2 meters in walls using the suction in its markings aid in camouflage in the dispersal of seeds for tures that are precious to
size, including the tail, mak- little fingers. They are found against tree bark. They are certain plants: when they eat our fragile, local ecosystem.
ing them one of the largest inside houses, and are mostly harmless and fragile; you can fruit, they excrete the seeds Please be mindful of these
in the iguana family. As you a nocturnal animal. hold one in your hands as in diverse locations, contrib- residents as you enjoy your
will see, despite their name, long as you are VERY gentle. uting to the reproduction stay.
as they reach adulthood, According to Etnia Nativa, Never put pressure on its tail cycle of our local plants.
the iguanas can take on a the local Pega Pega is im- because it will surely drop as Images: Some images are
grey or blue tone instead of mediately recognizable by its a measure to try to distract Striped anole from Aruba Birdlife
the bright green displayed large size, with a body length the predator, and they are The striped anole (Anolis lin- Conservation.
by the young ones. In Aruba of up to 12 cm, and its large, different from other lizards
– as in the rest of the King- swollen tail, approximately because they’re long-lived,
dom of the Netherlands – the the same length or slightly talkative, lack eyelids, and
most usual color varies from shorter than its body; females their small scales are situat-
green to lavender, black and are larger and more robust ed next to each other like
sometimes a reddish brown. than males. It has short, ro- cobblestones rather than
bust legs with flattened toes overlapping as is the case
Yuwana is a protected spe- and extensive basal web- in most other lizards.
cies, as it is listed under Ap- bing.
pendix II of the Convention The undersides of its toes are Turnip-tailed Geckos are
on International Trade in En- covered in lamellae, which insectivorous and feed on
dangered Species (CITES), are used as friction pads to cockroaches, grasshoppers,
meaning that international cling to smooth vertical sur- beetles, flies, mosquitoes,
and spiders, which makes
them the best pest control
to have at home! They spend
their days concealed in dark
tree grooves and cavities, in
narrow crevices in the walls,
or behind paintings, which
provide the perfect shelter
for them. Pega pega is a
gecko endemic to our island,
but in time, some 4–5 intrusive
gecko species have been
observed, some of which
do not cease to amaze us
with the racket they make,
especially during the hours