Biodiversity Barbados

🐍 Say hello to the Flowerpot Snake (Indotyphlops
braminus). The world’s smallest snake and a quiet
stowaway in potted plants!

Originally from Asia, this tiny, blind, non-venomous
species likely arrived in Barbados through the plant
trade. It lives underground, feeding on ants and termites,and is rarely seen, but it's widespread!

🌱 Fun fact: All Flowerpot Snakes are female and
reproduce without mating (parthenogenesis)!

In full bloom, it’s hard to miss the Flamboyant
(Delonix regia): a showstopper of the tropical
landscape! 🌺

With its fiery red-orange blossoms and wide canopy,
this ornamental tree is beloved across Barbados.
Though not native, it’s deeply rooted in local culture
and is often seen lining roadsides and gardens.

✨ While stunning, it’s important to balance
introduced species with the protection of our native
flora.

🦎 Spotted on your wall? It might be the Asian House
Gecko (Hemidactylus frenatus). A small but bold invader!

Originally from Southeast Asia, this non-native species has made itself at home in Barbados. While it helps
control insect pests, its presence can also impact local gecko populations by outcompeting native species.

🌍 A reminder that even the tiniest arrivals can shift the balance of our ecosystems.

🌿 Meet the resilient beauty of Barbados: Dracaena
hyacinthoides, more commonly known as Mother-in-
law’s tongue or Sansevieria! 🇧🇧

This hardy plant thrives in our tropical climate and plays an important role in local ecosystems. With its striking upright leaves and air-purifying properties, it's not just a garden favorite, it's a natural ally in urban biodiversity.

💚 Fun fact: Though often seen in homes and
landscapes, this plant is also part of Barbados’ diverse native flora!

👀 Spot this speedy hunter? The small Indian mongoose was brought to Barbados in the 1800s to fight rats 🐀 but it’s now a big threat to our native birds, reptiles & amphibians.

Stay curious, stay aware, protect Bajan biodiversity 🇧🇧💚

The Barbados Threadsnake has been rediscovered!

This lost species has finally been found thanks to the efforts of the Biodiversity Conservation & Management Section initiated the GEF-Funded project "Concerving Barbados Endemic Endemic Reptiles".

One of the major aims of the project is to conduct population status and threats assessments of sensitive Endemic Reptiles in Barbados including the once 'lost' critically endangered Barbados Threadsnake (Tetracheilostoma Carlae).

Photo credits 📸-Connor Blades

bb

Plastic pollution is one of the biggest environmental threats facing Barbados today.

From our beaches to our forests, plastic waste harms wildlife, pollutes water sources, and disrupts ecosystems.

🌊 In the ocean: Turtles mistake plastic bags for jellyfish, fish ingest microplastics, and coral reefs suffer from pollution.

🌴 On land: Plastic waste clogs waterways, kills plant life, and threatens native species that unknowingly consume plastic debris.

💡 What Can We Do?
🚫 Reduce single-use plastics (carry reusable bags, bottles, and cutlery).
♻️ Support plastic recycling initiatives.
🌿 Join local clean-ups to help remove waste before it reaches our ecosystems.

🌅 When the sun sets, Barbados' hidden wildlife awakens! 🌌

Bats, nightjars, and even fireflies work the night shift, controlling pests, pollinating plants, and keeping ecosystems balanced. 🦇 🪲
Swipe ->

1️⃣A Lesser Antillean Fruit Bat (Brachyphylla cavernarum)

2️⃣ An Antillean Nightjar (Chordeiles gundlachii)

3️⃣ Firefly (Aspidosoma ignitum)

🌿: Tillandsia utriculata (Giant Air Plant)

This air-purifying epiphyte thrives without soil and helps filter pollutants.

It’s a natural air cleaner and a great addition to gardens!

The one pictured above has found cohabitation with the Casuarina tree

February marks the beginning of sea turtle hatchling season in Barbados 🐢

Specifically Dermochelys coriacea , commonly known as the Leather Back Sea Turtle

Help protect hatchlings!
- Turn off beach lights at night
- Avoid disturbing nests
- Report sightings to local conservation groups like .

Today we put a spotlight on the West Indian Locust Tree also known as 'Stinkingtoe' (Hymenaea courbaril) 🌳

A provider of food, shade, and soil stability.

Are you familiar with this tree?