Wildlife

From coral colonies to migratory birds, there's plenty of animal life to see in the park.

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Wildlife Details

Virgin Islands National Park holds an astounding array of wildlife in its various habitats: 302 species of fish, 144 bird species, 22 species of mammals, and seven species of amphibians. And don't forget the reefs: coral is a creature, too, and there are close to 50 coral species in the waters around Virgin Islands National Park. There are a few non-native mammals on St. John, including mongoose, deer, sheep, and goats, but only one native mammal: bats. Six species of bat are native to the island and, no, they aren't vampires -- in fact, they help control insects (like mosquitoes, the true bloodsuckers on the island) and pollinate flowers and fruit-bearing trees. Birders will want to keep an eye out for hard-to-spot Tropicbirds, Great and Snowy Egrets, Mangrove Cuckoos, and other uncommon birds. There is a ranger-led birding expedition at Francis Bay Trail (check the weekly events calendar for the current schedule) and brochures to help you find, identify, and keep track of birds in the park. You'll find fish galore when you snorkel the park's waters, and the gift shop carries guides to help you identify the species you see. Visiting coral reefs or other underwater structures like mangrove roots or seagrass beds at different times of the day will reveal different fish species and activities.

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