A Near Death Experience in Cayman

We have had quite a few creature-sightings in the past little while, so many that some of my homeschooling friends are quite convinced that we should be well equipped to simply live off the land!  Last week we were serenaded by frogs night and day; they seemed to be coming out of the woodwork along with millions of microscopic ants.  During many of our after sundown excursions around town we have been entertained by crabs of all sizes expertly demonstrating the crab-walk everywhere, even right up to our front doorstep, even scratching on the front door.  I'm not sure where they get the idea that we might let them in!


Yesterday, we began our morning with a 6 inch ugly centipede inching his way across our dining room floor.  I quickly ran for a pair of shoes and stomped him out of existence then took a picture to share the "ickyness" with friends and family.  


We spotted a large turtle meandering through the grass on the way to the grocery store one evening.  Immediately I asked Jay to stop the car, insisting we must get a picture of this fella, and that it shouldn't be too hard, since it was a turtle after all! Well, this tortoise probably would have beat the hare in the race.  I was only able to snatch a distant and very blurry picture of him because the closer I snuck up to him, the faster he literally RAN away!


Iguanas in various sizes and colours roam the island in large quantities and are quite fascinating to observe.  When they are feeling threatened they run like lightning, a sight which is both amazing and comical to witness, especially given their very short legs and broad build.  Today, we were witnesses of a near death experience for one of our neighbourhood iguanas!  I had just finished chatting with a neighbour outside, walked across the lawn and come in the front door when there was a very loud and panicky scratching noise on the outside of the door.  So outside I went again - but this time through the back door and around to the front. There on our front doorstep was a large iguana, the type with the loooong striped tail, sitting still as a mouse and looking like he'd seen a ghost! 


We figured out later that the cat I had seen scurrying around the corner had actually been chasing the iguana and had almost caught the poor guy's tail!  That iguana hung out on our front porch for probably 15 minutes, not moving a muscle.  I even approached within a few inches for a closer photo-op and he did not budge!  Just in case he, like the crab, had a notion that he would like to come in for a visit, I didn't mention to him that I had a back door and that I planned to use it until he felt safe enough to leave his post.  From inside, we watched him eventually very slowly creep around the corner and that was the last we saw of him.  I can imagine that he may have some fairly traumatic nightmares for a few nights and perhaps will need some Valium to settle his frantic nerves! 


Amazingly enough, we are still awaiting our first parrot sighting, although we are given to understand that they fly in pairs and are seen quite often.  Perhaps they like only certain areas of the island and although this island is quite small, we have yet to see it in its entirety.  


Our boys have always wanted a pet gecko or iguana for their own.  How much greater the opportunity is for them to observe, learn about and enjoy in their natural habitats, these reptiles as well as many more of God's great creations on this island.