Wild Flamingos on Provo
In Turks and Caicos Islands, there are several animal attractions that will impress and delight you and your family. One attraction which draws visitors are the salt ponds and inland marshes. Here visitors can engage in bird watching where both resident and migratory birds can be seen. Some of these birds include Blue Herons, Osprey, Pelicans, Terns, Flamingos*, and Frigates. A total of 170 bird species can be spotted in the islands.
Another great animal attraction is the Caicos Conch Farm. This is a must see because it is the only one of its kind in the world. There are other conch farms, but this is the only one which raises a Caribbean Queen conch from veliger all the way to adult. At the Caicos Conch Farm, you can watch and learn about the process of raising the conchs, see a show with two trained conchs, and see the conch pearls.
A kayak safari adventure will enable visitors to enjoy many different animals including land animals, animals in the sky and water animals. Don’t forget about the whales, either. Humpback whales make their appearance near the islands late January through early April. You can take a whale watching trip where you’ll be able to see the humpback whales up close, hear the whale songs, and learn a variety of facts about the humpback whales.
You may also want to meet JoJo. JoJo is a bottlenose dolphin who has been living in the shallow waters of the Turks and Caicos Islands since 1980. He voluntarily interacts with people in his own habitat, and he has a warden appointed to protect him because the Islanders consider him to be a national treasure.
Also unique to the Turks and Caicos Islands is the Rock Iguana. Rock Iguanas can’t be found anywhere else in the world, so you definitely don’t want to miss this opportunity! These large lizards are docile creatures. While they have been removed from areas where livestock and domesticated animals now live, they are still very much a part of the atmosphere. They tend to stay in uninhabited areas away from humans. One place you will be sure to find Rock Iguanas is the Little Water Cay. In fact there are about 2,000 or more of these lizards living in this area.
*Fun Fact: Flamingos are the official bird of Turks & Caicos, so you will see them on custom uniforms and welcome signs (as well as in the wild).
