Division of Fish and Wildlife Department of Planning and …ufdcimages.uflib.ufl.edu/CA/01/30/09/51/00001/http___... · Division of Fish and Wildlife Department of Planning and Natural

End. Sp. USVI

Division of Fish and Wildlife Department of Planning and Natural Resources

Government of the Virgin Islands

ENDANGERED SPECIES OF THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS

Produced by the Division of Fish and Wildlife, Department of Planning and Natural Resources,Government of the U.S. Virgin Islands Illustrated by Teresa "Red" Fisher Digitized by Christine O'Sullivan, William Coles This coloring book has been produced to provide you with information on some of the threatened and endangered plants and animals found in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Each plant or animal in this book is in danger of extinction. These threats are all related to human activities which alter the natural environment. Threats include overharvest, habitat destruction and introduction of exotic species which are predators or compete with local species for food and habitat: By learning about our endangered species you will be better able to make informed decisions and take proper actions to protect and conserve our valuable natural resources. The graphics were designed to show you all of the Federal and some of the Territorial threatened and endangered species of plants and animals found in the Virgin Islands. We hope that you enjoy coloring them and learn about why they are threatened or endangered at the same time. Blue highlighted or underlined common names are linked to coloring book pages with pictures and information on each species. List of U.S.V.I. Threatened and Endangered Species Plant Species Common Name Family Genus Species Status List Location Comments

Egger's Agave Agavacea Agave eggersiana E VI STX

Aizoaceae Cypselia humifusa E VI STT,STJ

Central American Oak Aquifoliaceae Ilex sideroxyloides E VI STJ

Aquifoliaceae Ilex urbaniana E VI

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End. Sp. USVI

Urban's Holly Aquifoliaceae Ilex urbanii E VI STJ, Tortola

Pinon Bromeliacea Tillandsia lineatispica E VI STT,STJ

Vahl's Boxwood Buxaceas Buxus vahlii E F STX

Wooly Nipple Cactaceae Mammilaria nivosa E VI STX,STT,STJ, offshore cays

Cactaceae Opuntia triacantha E VI Buck Island (STX & STT)

Celastraceae Maytenus cymosa E VI STX, STT

Convolvulaceae Operculina triquetra E VI STX, STT, endemic

Euphorbiaceae Croton fishlockii E VI STJ Recent STJ sightings

Egger's Cockspur Fabaceae Erythrina eggersii E VI STT,STJ, STX

Egger's Galactia Fabaceae Galactia eggersii E VI STT, STJ

Malphighiaceae Brysonima lucida X spicata E VI

Malphighiaceae Brysonima sp. E VI STJ New species?

Malphighiaceae Malpighia coccigera E VI

Stinging Bush Malphighiaceae Malpighia infestissima E VI STX

Malphighiaceae Malpighia linearis E VI All VI

Malphighiaceae Malpighia sp. E VI STJ Similar to M.Coccigera

Cowage Cherry Malphighiaceae Malpighia woodburyana E VI STT, STJ, offshore cays

Mountain Guava Malvaceae Psidium amplexicaule E VI STJ

Malvaceae Psidium sp. E VI STJ New species?

Malvaceae Sida eggersi E VI N. offshore cays?

St. Thomas Lidflower Myrtaceae Calyptranthes thomasiana E VI STT, STJ

Myrtaceae Eugenia earhartii E VI

Myrtaceae Eugenia sp. E VI STJ recent sighings.

Myrtaceae Eugenia xerogphytica E VI

Olacae Schoepfia schreberi E VI STX, STT, STJ

Orchidacea Brassavola cuccullata E VI STT

Orchidacea Epidendrum bifidum E VI

Christmas Orchid Orchidacea Epidendrum ciliare E VI


End. Sp. USVI

Orchidacea Epidendrum cochleatum E VI

Orchidacea Habenaria alata E VI

Yellow Dancing Lady Orchid Orchidacea Oncidium prionochilum E VI

White Dancing Lady Orchid Orchidacea Oncidium variegatum E VI STT, Virgin Gorda

Orchidacea Polystachya concreta E VI

Orchidacea Ponthieva racemosa E VI

Orchidacea Prescottia oligantha E VI

Orchidacea Prescottia stachyoides E VI

Orchidacea Spiranthes elata E VI

Orchidacea Tetramicra canaliculata E VI

Water Island Orchidacea Tetramicra canaliculata alba E VI Endangered Subspecies.

Vanilla Orchid Orchidacea Vanilla barbellata E VI

Myrtle-leaved Pepermonia Piperaceae Peperomia myrtifolia E VI STJ, STX

Polygonaceae Coccoloba rugosa E VI May be extinct in the VI

Rubiaceae Catesbaea melanocarpa E VI STX

Rubiaceae Machaonia woodburyana E VI STJ New sightings

Yellow Sanders, Satinwood Rutaceasw Zanthoxyllum flavum C

Prickly Ash Rutaceasw Zanthoxyllum thomasianum E F STT, STJ

Bulletwood Sapotaceae Manilkara bidentata E VI STT, STJ

Solanaceae Solanum conocarpum E VI Last seen 1900

Solanaceae Solanum mucronatum E VI STT,STJ confused taxonomy

Richard's Clearwood Urticaceae Pilea richardii E VI STT

Capa Rosa Verbenaceae Callicarpa ampla E VI info needs update

Verbenaceae Nashia inaguensis E VI STX

Lignum Vitae Zygophyllaceae Guaiacum officinale E VI Water Island High Hort. Demand.

Turk's cap, Turk's head, Pope's nose Cactaceae Melocactus intortus C

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Animal Species


End. Sp. USVI

Common Name Family Genus Species Status Listing

St.Croix Ground Lizard Teiidae Ameiva polops E F

Green turtle Chelonidae Chelonia mydas T F

Leatherback Dermochelyidae Dermochelys coriacea E F

VI Tree Boa Boidae Epicrates monensis granti E F

Hawksbill Turtle Chelonidae Eretmochelys imbricata E F

Peregrine Falcon Falconidae Falco peregrinus E F

Brown Pelican Pelecanidae Pelecanus occidentalis E F

Roseate Tern Laridae Storna dougallii T F

Slipperyback Skink Scincidae Mabuya mabouia E VI

VI Screech Owl Strigidae Otus nudipes newtoni E VI

West Indian Nighthawk Caprimulgidae Chordeiles gundlachii E VI

Antillean Mango (Hummingbird) Trochilidae Anthracothorax dominicus E VI

Least Grebe Podicipedidae Podiceps dominicus E VI

Least Tern Laridae Sterna antillarum E VI

White-tailed Tropicbird Phaethontidae Phaethon lepturus E VI

Great Blue Heron Ardeidae Ardea herodius E VI

Great (Common) Egret Ardeidae Casmerodius albus E VI

Snowy Egret Ardeidae Egretta thula E VI

Black crowned Night Heron Ardeidae Nycticorax nycticorax E VI

Least Bittern Ardeidae Ixobrychus exilis E VI

Bahama Duck Anatidae Anas bahamensis E VI

Ruddy Duck Anatidae Oxyura jamaicensis E VI

Clapper Rail Rallidae Rallus longirostris E VI

Caribbean coot Rallidae Fulica caribea E VI

Snowy Plover Charadriidae Charadrius alexandrinus E VI


End. Sp. USVI

Willet Scolopacidae Catoptrophorus semipalmatus E VI

Audobon Shearwater Procellariidae Puffinus iherminieri E VI

Brown-throated Parakeet Psittacidae Aratinga pertinax E VI

White-crowned Pigeon Columbidae Columba leucocephala E VI

Bridled Quail Dove Columbidae Geotrygon mystacea E VI

Stolid Flycatcher Tryannidae Myiarchus stolidus E VI

Fisherman Bat Noctilionidae Noctilio leporinus E VI

Red Fruit Bat Phyllostomidae Stenoderma rufum E VI

Cave Bat Phyllostomidae Brachyphylla cavernarum E VI

Jewfish Serranidae Epinephelus itajara E VI

Black Coral Order= Antipatharia

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Page 3



A. Species Name: Tillandsia lineatispica

Common Name: Pinon

Status: Territorially Endangered

Where I am found: Found growing on rocks and trees in moist valleys of Puerto Rico, St. John and St. Thomas.

Why I am endangered: Habitat destruction, landclearing for development and over collecting for gardens.

Coloring tips: Leaves are grayish green. Flowers are on tall stalks with red scaly modified leaves.

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B. Species Name: Mammilaria nivosa

Common Name: Wooly Nipple Cactus


Where I am found: Found on rocks and cliffs, mostly on offshore small cays of the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Antigua and the Bahamas.

Why I am endangered: Habitat loss due to development and over collecting by plant collectors.

Coloring tips: Surface of cactus is gray green. Spines are yellow brown. Fruit are egg-shaped red berry.


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Page1



Species Name: Calyptranthes thomasiana

Common Name: St. Thomas Lidflower

Status: Federally Endangered

Where I am found: Approximately 210 plants are found on Bordeaux Mountain, St. John; Monte Pirata, Vieques and Virgin Gorda. It is also grown in several botanical gardens and private collections.

Why I am endangered: Probably from 18th and 19th century cultivation of sugar cane and cotton. Today, land clearing for roads and development.

Coloring tips: Leaves are shiny green on top and dull green underneath. Flowers are whitish.

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Species Name: Buxus vahlii

Common Name: Vahl's Boxwood


Where I am found: Western St. Croix and Puerto Rico. Is also grown in several botanical gardens and private collections.

Why I am endangered: Land clearing for sugar cane and cotton cultivation. Today, clearing for development has further reduced the numbers.

Coloring tips: Leaves have a green shiny upper surface and a dull, light green under surface. Flowers are whitish or yellowish.













Page 4



A. Species Name: Tolumnia (Oncidium) prionochila

Common Name: Dancing Lady Orchid (Yellow)

Status: Territorially Endangered. Only endemic orchid in the Virgin Islands.

Where I am found: Found growing on rocks, trees and cactus in dry parts of St. John, St. Thomas and the British Virgin Islands. Has been cultivated in Puerto Rico.

Why I am endangered: Habitat destruction, land clearing for development and over collecting by private and commercial collectors.

Coloring tips: Leaves are green. Yellow flowers are clustered on long stalks.

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B. Species Name: Encyclia ciliare

Common Name: Christmas Orchid

Status: Territorially Threatened

Where I am found: Found on shaded rocks and trees in moist and dry areas. Found in Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and Lesser Antilles.

Why I am endangered: Habitat loss due to development and over collecting by private and commercial collectors.

Coloring tips: Leaves are green. Flowers are pale greenish-yellow.













Page 2



Species Name: Zanthoxyllum thomasianum

Common Name: Prickly Ash


Where I am found: Southern foothills, St. John, central south coast of St. Thomas and Puerto Rico. Is also grown in several botanical gardens and private collections.

Why I am endangered: Probably from 18th and 19th century cultivation of sugar cane and cotton. Today, land clearing for roads and development.

Coloring tips: Leaves are shiny green. Spines under leaves brown. Flowers are whitish green (none in drawing).

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Species Name: Guaiacum officinale

Common Name: Lignum vitae


Where I am found: Found mostly on the drier east and southern sides of our islands.

Why I am endangered: The wood is extremely dense and oily which makes it useful for carvings, furniture and ornamental woodwork. The trees were harvested extensively for the wood which led to the low numbers today.

Coloring tips: Leaves are yellowish green. Flowers are blue. Seed pods are orange (not in drawing).













Page 6



A. Species Name: Mabuya mabouya

Common Name: Slipperyback Skink

Status: Territorially Endangered.

Where I am found: Found in rubble and leaf litter. Very rarely seen. Has been reported from all main islands and some cays of the U.S. and British Virgin Islands.

Why I am endangered: Habitat destruction, land clearing for development and predation by mongooses and cats.

Coloring tips: Upper parts are shiny, metallic bronze with dark brown stripes on head and front of body. Undersides are off-white.

========================================

B. Species Name: Ameiva polops

Common Name: St. Croix Ground Lizard


Where I am found: Found in leaf litter and rubble on Protestant, Green and Ruth cays, St. Croix. No longer found on the island of St. Croix. The Ruth Cay population was established by the Division of Fish and Wildlife to increase this lizard's chances for survival.

Why I am endangered: Habitat loss due to development on St. Croix. Predation by mongooses and cats.

Coloring tips: Black belly with wide, light (iridescent) stripe down back.













Page 5



A. Species Name: Chelonia mydasa

Common Name: Green Turtle

Status: Federally Threatened.

Where I am found: Found in coastal waters feeding and resting in seagrass beds. Nests on sandy beaches around the islands. Feeds on seagrasses.

Why I am endangered: Over harvest for meat prior to 1973. Egg collection by humans (poaching continues today). Loss of nesting habitat to coastal development.

Coloring tips: Olive brown shell with darker streaks. Underside pale yellow, creamy white.

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B. Species Name: Dermochelys coriacea

Common Name: Leatherback Turtle


Where I am found: Found in deep ocean waters throughout the north Atlantic. Nests on sandy beaches (Sandy Point, St. Croix is largest nesting population in U.S.). Feeds on jellyfish.

Why I am endangered: Egg collection by humans (poaching continues today). Nesting beaches are being developed which disturbs the adults. Hatchlings are disoriented by lights which causes them to die from dessication or predation.

Coloring tips: Black with white spots. Pink spot on top of head.

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C. Species Name: Eretmochelys imbricata

Common Name: Hawksbill Turtle


Where I am found: Found in coastal waters feeding and resting in coral reefs. Nests on sandy beaches around the islands. Feeds on sponges.

Why I am endangered: Egg collection and meat harvest by humans (poaching continues today). The shell is used for jewelry and ornaments. Nesting beaches are being developed which disturbs the adults. Hatchlings are disoriented by lights which causes them to die from dessication or predation. Coral reefs are being destroyed.

Coloring tips: The shell is mottled with brown, orange, yellow and red markings. Flippers have brown scales with yellow margins.

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Page 5













Page 7 Tree Boa



Species Name: Epicrates monensis granti

Common Name: Virgin Island Tree Boa

Status: Federally Endangered.

Where I am found: The species is found throughout the Caribbean. However, this subspecies (granti) is found only on the east end of St. Thomas, on Culebra, Puerto Rico and possibly on Tortola, RV.I. This snake may feed almost exclusively on lizards and mice. It is not poisonous and poses no danger to humans.

Why I am endangered: Habitat destruction, land clearing for development and predation by mongooses, cats and dogs. Many have been killed by people who are afraid of snakes. Many others have been run over by cars because they will lie on roads at night for the heat that the roads store from the day.

Coloring tips: They are the only snakes in the Virgin Islands with a distinct pattern. The upper body is light grey-brown with dark brown markings. The belly is cream colored with dark markings. In the sun, the upper scales can be iridescent.













Page 9 P.Falcon



Species Name: Falco peregrinus

Common Name: Peregrine Falcon


Where I am found: Peregrines are an uncommon but regular winter migrant in the Virgin Islands. They have been seen here from October to May. They usually stay around offshore cays and rocks and ponds where they can find seabird, shorebird and waterfowl young to feed on.

Why I am endangered: In the U.S. (where our peregrines come from) peregrines became endangered because of pesticides which caused egg shell thinning and breakage before hatching. The ban on these pesticides has caused the peregrine to make a considerable comeback and they may be removed from the endangered species list soon.

Coloring tips: The head has a mask-like pattern. The back and tops of wings are a dark slate color. The undersides are cream colored with dark bars.













Page 8 Pelican



Species Name:Pelecanus occidentalis

Common Name: Brown Pelican


Where I am found: The species is found throughout the Caribbean. In the Virgin Islands it feeds on schools of small baitfish found near the shoreline and in bays. It nests only on Mary's Point, St. John, Congo and Whistling cays off St. John, Dutchcap Cay off St. Thomas and Buck Island off St. Croix.

Why I am endangered: In the U.S. pelicans became endangered because of pesticides which caused shell thinning and breakage before hatching. This may have been a slight problem here but the main reason for endangerment has been poaching of eggs, young and adults, disturbance of nesting colonies by humans and reduction of food resources (baitf'ish) through over harvest and destruction of habitats important to the baitf'ish (mangroves, seagrasses).

Coloring tips: Back and wings gray-brown. Back of head and neck red-brown in adults. Juveniles are an overall gray-brown with a white belly.













Page 12 SeaBirds



A. Species Name: Phaethon lepturus

Common Name: White-Tailed Tropicbird


Where I am found: Feeds on small fish caught at the ocean surface away from land. Nests in rock cavities found in sea cliffs and small cays around the main islands.

Why I am endangered: Primary cause of endangerment is predation on the young by Peregrine Falcons. There is evidence that some nesting groups have been wiped out by this predation.

Coloring tips: An all white bird with a black stripe through the eye and black bars on the upper parts of the wings. The last four or five wing feathers are black with white tips.

==============================================

B. Species Name: Sterna dougallii

Common Name: Roseate Tern

Status: Federally Threatened

Where I am found: Found in the Virgin Islands from April to September. Feeds in nearshore waters on schools of baitfish. Nests in colonies on some offshore cays. The nest is nothing more than a shallow scrape in the soil.

Why I am endangered: Primarily endangered due to taking of eggs by humans. Also endangered due to the presence of rats on many of our offshore cays which eat the eggs and young.

Coloring tips: Mostly white with a black cap on the head. The tops of the wings are a very pale brown. The bill is black with some red.













Page 10 Owl



Species Name: Otus nudipes newtoni

Common Name: Virgin Islands Screech Owl Status: Territorially Endangered.

Where I am found: This screech owl is only found in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The V.I. subspecies (newtoni) has only been seen a few times. It likes open fields where it can perch and look for rodents to eat. Nests in wooded areas in large trees with holes.

Why I am endangered: Most likely endangered due to absence of large trees with suitable holes for nesting. Most large trees have been cut down or blown down by hurricanes. Large wooded areas are also not common in the Virgin Islands anymore.

Coloring tips: The back and tops of wings are gray-brown. The undersides are white with heavy brown streaks.













Page 11 Hummingbird



Species Name: Anthracothorax dominicus

Common Name: Antillean Mango


Where I am found: This hummingbird once was quite abundant in the Virgin Islands. It may only remain on St. Thomas and some of the British Virgin Islands. It remains common in the coastal plain of Puerto Rico.

Why I am endangered: In the Virgin Islands and eastern Puerto Rico it is thought that this hummingbird is declining in numbers due to the presence of the Green-Throated Carib hummingbird which competes with it. The Green-Throated Carib has apparently been expanding its range into areas once used by the Antillean Mango. Also preyed on by cats.

Coloring tips: This large hummingbird has light, yellow-green upperparts. The male has black on the breast and the female is the only hummingbird in the area that is white below. The female also has white tips on the tail feathers.













Page 13 Egret



Species Name: Casmerodius albus

Common Name: Great (Common) Egret

Status: Territorially Threatened.

Where I am found: This egret is fairly common in Puerto Rico. In the Virgin Islands it is uncommon and has only been seen nesting on St. Croix. It nests on a platform of sticks in wooded swampy areas such as Altona Lagoon on St. Croix.

Why I am endangered: This species may never have occurred in the Virgin Islands in large numbers. However, the numbers have declined due to loss of mangrove habitat and disturbance from human activities near remaining nesting habitat.

Coloring tips: This large bird has a white body with a yellow bill and black legs.













Page 14 NightHeron



Species Name: Nycticorax nycticorax

Common Name: Black-Crowned Night Heron


Where I am found: This heron is very uncommon in the Virgin Islands. A night-time hunter, it is found near freshwater habitats and sometimes near salt ponds and mangrove swamps.

Why I am endangered: This species may never have occurred in the Virgin Islands in large numbers. However, the numbers have probably declined due to loss of freshwater habitats and disturbance from human activities near remaining habitat.

Coloring tips: This bird has a black crown and back. The face and underparts are white. Immature birds are entirely brown.













Page 15 Bittern



Species Name: lxobrychus exilis

Common Name: Least Bittern


Where I am found: This bird has become very uncommon in the Virgin Islands, although it is still fairly common in Puerto Rico. Very well camouflaged, it is usually found near freshwater habitats and sometimes near salt ponds and mangrove swamps.

Why I am endangered: This species may never have occurred in the Virgin Islands in large numbers. However, the numbers have probably declined due to loss of nesting habitats and disturbance from human activities near remaining habitat.

Coloring tips: This bird is generally rusty colored with a darker back. There are cream-colored patches on the upper sides of the wings.













Page 18 Ducks



A. Species Name: Oxyura jamaicensis

Common Name: Ruddy Duck


Where I am found: Prefers fresh water ponds but can be found in salt ponds.

Why I am endangered: This species was once much more common in the Virgin Islands but has declined considerably in the last few decades. The main reason is probably hunting.

Coloring tips: The male has an overall ruddy coloration, with a dark head and tail, white cheek patches and a blue bill. Females are mostly brown with a dark brown stripe below the eye.

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B. Species Name: Anas bahamensis

Common Name: Bahama Duck or White-Cheeked Pintail


Where I am found: Found in fresh water and salt ponds. Nests in dense grass or under mangrove roots. Can lay up to a dozen eggs in a nest.

Why I am endangered: The primary reason for endangerment of this species is hunting by man. The nests of this species are also preyed upon by cats, rats and mongooses.

Coloring tips: Body gray-brown, white cheeks and throat and light fawn-colored, pointed tail. The bill has a red-orange mark near the face.













Page 19 Shorebirds



A. Species Name: Catoptrophorus semipalmatus

Common Name: Willet


Where I am found: Found in salt ponds and other wetlands. Rare in the Virgin Islands. Nests in depression made in the sand near wetlands.

Why I am endangered: May never have been abundant in the Virgin Islands. Eggs and young are prone to predation by mongooses and cats. Disturbance from human activities.

Coloring tips: Light gray body with dark legs. Black and white wing pattern.

================================================

B. Species Name: Charadrius alexandrinus

Common Name: Snowy Plover


Where I am found: One sighting from St. John. Used to nest on St. Croix but apparently no longer. Rare in Puerto Rico. Nests on ground.

Why I am endangered: May never have been common in the Virgin Islands. Predation of eggs and young by mongooses and cats. Disturbance from human activities.

Coloring tips: Pale coloration, black bill and dark legs. In the summer a black ear patch is present.

================================================

C. Species Name: Puffinus lherminieri

Common Name: Audubon's Shearwater


Where I am found: Nests on several small rocky cays around the V.I. Feeds in open ocean.

Why I am endangered: This species never occurs in great numbers. However, the few in the V.I. suffer from predation by hawks and falcons. Humans are also known to poach the young for food.

Coloring tips: Dark, brownish-black back and white underparts.


Page 19 Shorebirds













Page 16 Parakeet



Species Name: Aratinga pertinax

Common Name: Brown-Throated Parakeet


Where I am found: This bird was apparently introduced to St. Thomas from Curacao. It used to occur in large flocks on the east end of St. Thomas where it nests in termite nests and feeds on fruits and seeds. Some have been released on St. John and are surviving near Caneel Bay.

Why I am endangered: This species has declined greatly in numbers over the last ten years. Many have been caught to be sold or kept as pets. Several hurricanes have also affected these birds. Also, many people burn termite nests to keep termites out of their homes and this has led to less nesting habitat for this species.

Coloring tips: This bird is generally green with yellow-orange eye patches, a brown throat and blue primary feathers (the large feathers at the ends of the wings).













Page 17 Doves



A. Species Name: Geotrygon mystacea

Common Name: Bridled Quail Dove


Where I am found: Usually found searching for seeds on the ground in dense lowland forests at the base of guts. Nests are constructed low to the ground using twigs.

Why I am endangered: Primary cause of endangerment is predation on the eggs and young by mongoose and cats. Much of the dense lowland forests in the Virgin Islands are developed or heavily disturbed by human activities. Few areas remain where this bird can feed and nest.

Coloring tips: White line under the eye, brown back, throat white, rusty colored patch on wing, underparts buffy-brown.

=======================================

B. Species Name: Columba leucocephala

Common Name: White-Crowned Pigeon


Where I am found: Once very common, this species is now quite rare. They prefer to nest in mangroves, presumably for protection from predation. The largest nesting colony in the Virgin Islands is on Ruth Cay, St. Croix, a man-made island.

Why I am endangered: The primary reason for endangerment of this species is hunting by man. Where this species is protected it usually recovers quite well.

Coloring tips: Slate gray body with a white crown.













Page 20 Bat



Species Name: Noctilio leporinus

Common Name: Fisherman Bat


Where I am found: This bat roosts in caves near the sea and in the roofs of old houses. It catches fish swimming near the surface of the water using sonar and long claws.

Why I am endangered: This species has declined greatly in numbers as old houses are tom down or bat-proofed. Coastal development near sea caves has disturbed the bats.

Coloring tips: This bat has a light brown back and white undersides. Black eyes and pink inside of ears.













page 21 Grouper



Species Name: Epinephelus itijara

Common Name: Goliath Grouper (Formally called "Jewfish")


Where I am found: This fish used to be fairly abundant around offshore reefs, underwater caves and wrecks. Can reach nearly eight feet in length and weigh nearly 1000 pounds. Eats crabs and approaches divers out of curiosity.

Why I am endangered: This species has declined greatly in numbers due to over fishing because they are not naturally abundant and are so easily caught.

Coloring tips: This fish can have a dark or pale green-gray body with black spots.













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