Terrestrial, aerial and marine wildlife
Lake Enriquillo Trough is undoubtedly the major attraction of the south-west region: it is the largest salt lake in the Caribbean. In fact, its waters, which have a particularly high salinity level, are even saltier than those of the sea. The lake, in the middle of which floats Isla Cabritos, lies some 40 m below sea level, and this area - the Parque nacional Lago Enriquillo e Isla Cabritos- is the world's largest reserve of American crocodiles. Alongside these lazy reptiles are pink flamingos and two species of rock iguana, dozing to the sound of lapping waves and boat engines. Agoutis are represented by the plagidontia and the solenodon, a nocturnal, insectivorous mammal with an elongated nose, round ears and a long tail, which can weigh up to 1 kg and is found in the country's high-altitude forests. Unfortunately, these species are in danger of extinction. As for snakes, none are venomous in the Dominican Republic. In the reptile family, alongside the crocodiles, we should mention the geckos, which are frequently encountered, as well as the astonishing electric-blue-tailed lizards. The mygale, known as cacata, is a good-sized spider that is more frightening than truly dangerous, and can only be found in the campo and in humid mountain areas. Bats, meanwhile, have massively colonized the country's many caves.
Birdwatchers will be delighted by the diversity of the avian fauna. Numerous species of birds, with their dazzling songs and variegated plumage, populate the plains and mountains. Many tropical varieties cohabit with the migratory birds that come to the islands to spend the winter. 300 birds have been counted on Dominican soil (27 are endemic). The national parks protect a number of them, including species of hummingbirds, better known as hummingbirds, whose wing beats are so fast that they can fly on the spot. These include the nightingale, the parakeet, the palm stork, the dove, the narrow-billed todier, the red-tailed hawk, the quiquivied tyrant, the pelican and many species of wader. Entomologists won't be disappointed either. Butterflies and insects abound in mountains and valleys alike.
The coral reefs are home to many varieties of tropical fish, each more colorful and astonishing than the last, with strange shapes and habits: the green and blue parrotfish nibbles tirelessly at coral; the yellow-tailed blue surgeonfish has a particularly sharp spine; the spectacular Caribbean triggerfish, with its sumptuous colors, changes color when it feels it's getting close, and loves sea urchins; the trunkfish(Lactophrys triqueter) is covered in polygonal plates, protected by its rigid carapace; the balloonfish (or diodon), with its fearsome teeth, inflates in size by sucking in water and ruffles its fins when it feels threatened, hoping to discourage its opponents. Make sure you don't confuse the elongated trumpet-fish with an undulating seaweed, and say hello to the squirrel-fish: red in color, it can be found in caves and opens large black eyes, a signal attesting to its preference for low-light areas. Angelfish are also present: the blue, green and yellow angelfish, the grey angelfish, and the French angelfish with its black body edged in yellow and iridescent with fine stripes belong to the same family. The royal angelfish is one of the most beautiful reef fish, with its phosphorescent striped coat. The yellow stockfish can be recognized by its flat, diamond-shaped silhouette. The scorpionfish(Scorpaena plumieri), bristling with venomous spines, is hard to spot because of its camouflage and static posture on the coral. Gobies are tiny fish that hide in the crevices of the coral. Butterfly fish (black and white striped), flying fish, pighead captain, moonfish, octopus fish, chromis damselfish (black with small blue spots), sergeant-major (black and yellow striped), peacock girelle (blue-headed), undulating schools of jacks (blue, black, yellow or big-eyed) or squid swimming gracefully, spreading their tentacles, the list is endless.. All this cheerful marine life evolves in the sumptuous setting of coral reefs carpeted with feather gorgonians (whose silky branches undulate under the effect of the currents), spirographs unfolding their arms, colorful anemones and starfish.
On the larger side, the most beautiful species, which can weigh over 100 kg, sail in deep waters. Dolphins live along coastal areas and are the main representatives of marine mammals. Manatees, turtles, careys and humpback whales, which arrive in the warm waters of Samaná Bay to mate and reproduce in winter, are protected species. Rays, swordfish, dolphinfish and the often solitary barracuda abound in the deep waters. Swimmers will be reassured to learn that there are few sharks, while divers will be fascinated by the ballet of blue marlin, sea turtles, groupers and barracudas. Dominican waters are also home to numerous crustaceans, crabs, lobsters and shrimps, as well as long-spined white and black sea urchins. Numerous shellfish, including the lambi, a conch with an orange shell, used by the Tainos to communicate and which moves in successive leaps, as well as strombes, turritelles and reticulated olives, will delight collectors. The "sand dollar" is a flat sea urchin whose perforated shell washes up on beaches.
Wild and domesticated flora
While Dominican nature is opulent, thanks to the abundance of water from rivers and rainfall, it is never oppressive. There are some 8,000 species of plants, flowers and trees in the Dominican Republic, including 1,800 endemic species, mainly orchids and palms - three times as many as in Europe. From local plants, favored by the island's location, to pantropical, subtropical and paleotropical plants, Dominican nature is rich in a palette of dazzling colors. In the mountainous regions, tropical forests are rich in precious species such as mahogany and cedar. Throughout the summer, flamboyant trees display their magnificent branches and phosphorescent-red flowers. Coniferous forests abound in the mountains, creating landscapes with a European flair. Dwarf palms and tree ferns grow in profusion in the undergrowth. The arid regions of the Dominican Republic, meanwhile, are covered with subtropical vegetation of groves and dry steppe, scrub, thorny shrubs, agaves and cacti.
Mangroves grow in abundance in the calm, low-lying waters of the lagoons, forming an impenetrable coastal fringe. Situated between sea and land, it's a unique ecosystem featuring four types of tree: red, black, white and grey mangroves. The red mangrove is the main tree of the mangrove. Its roots emerge from the water to form an impenetrable tangle, enabling it to breathe and firmly establish itself in the salty, unstable, muddy soil. It protects the coastline, purifies the air and water, and provides a refuge for wildlife, an ideal breeding ground and feeding ground for fry, larvae and young fish, who benefit from the environment's rich plankton content. Mangrove oysters, molluscs and sponges grow in colonies on the roots of the red mangle. Many birds live in the mangroves, sheltered from predators.
Among thecountry's most emblematic species is the coconut palm, a native of Southeast Asia. The tree of a hundred uses reaches the West Indies region via nuts protected by a thick, highly resistant bark, pushed by ocean currents. This tree is a real blessing for the locals. Its nuts nourish and heal, its palms are woven into baskets, hats, ropes, mattresses and roofs, and its trunks are used as beams. The frangipani, a stocky deciduous tree, is also a well-known species in the Dominican Republic, with its feathery flowers at the end of its branches. The Rose de Bayahibe is endemic to the east coast and became the Dominican Republic's national flower in 2011, appearing on banknotes and postage stamps. The banana tree is also essential. Known since the early 16th century, the banana comes in three main varieties: the very large banana, known as the plantain; the small banana (or banana-apple), found only on local markets; and the common banana, found on our European markets.
Domestic plants, fruits and vegetables are also legion. While manioc, guava, tobacco, cotton, peppers and pineapples were grown on the island long before the arrival of the Spanish, many tropical plants were introduced by the colonists. Sugar cane originated in New Guinea. It traveled to the Orient, Spain and the Canary Islands before making its mark on the Caribbean islands in the 15th century. Over 15 months, sugar cane multiplies from cuttings, then develops two types of roots: some to feed on water and mineral salts, others to fix the stem. Then the flowering stem begins to grow. Before cutting, the zafra, the cane is quickly burned to lighten the foliage and kill parasites. Each cutting produces a clump of 5 to 20 stalks that can reach 4 m in height. Sugar cane plantations stretch endlessly across the northern and eastern plains.
Tropical flowers are everywhere. Orchids are an important family of Dominican flora, numbering over 300 varieties alone, with their rich colors and delicate shapes. Many are protected, and only orchids bearing a certificate attesting that the variety is not in danger of extinction are authorized for export. Bougainvillea, known locally as trinitaria, the national flower and symbol of the War of Restoration, blooms everywhere. Hibiscus and heliconias grow wild. Anthurium, water apple, orchid liana, bird of paradise, jasmine, red alpinia bunches, green and yellow croton beds, rigid balisier spikes... all ornamental tropical flowers grow in abundance.
A threatened nature
Endangeredanimals include the cotica, a small bird measuring between 28 and 31 cm with bright green plumage known in Creole as cotorra verde. Its forehead is white and its cheeks are dotted with black spots. Its belly is red and its tail dotted with a few red feathers. Inhabiting forests and generally fruit-rich areas, it nests in dry trunks. During the nesting period, it proves to be very courageous and jealously defends its territory. The cotica has an astonishing ability to reproduce human language, to the point of becoming the national mascot. Not shy, it's very easy to domesticate, and can be found in cages in the gardens of private homes and hotels. Behind its gates, it plays the role of a charming and decorative pet. Its success almost led to the extinction of the species, which is now protected.
The hutia, a member of the Capromyidae family, is an endangered species of small herbivorous rodent. Once abundant on the islands, hutias were decimated by deforestation, hunting and the introduction of cattle and domestic animals such as dogs. The hutia feeds on fruit and, on occasion, will not disdain a small reptile that passes close to its jaws. They live for around a dozen years and enjoy an active social life. They organize themselves into groups and like to groom together before mating.
The Solenodon belongs to the Solenodontidae family. A nocturnal insect-eater, it has sharp teeth and venomous saliva. It resembles a shrew, but larger, with a bone in its snout, which is very long. Measuring almost 70 centimetres from snout to tail, solenodons have a reputation for irascibility. Mongooses, dogs and cats, introduced to the island to hunt rats, have practically eradicated the species
The manatee , once abundant at river mouths, is now endangered. This enormous marine mammal is a herbivore and "grazes" on algae, hence its nickname "sea cow". Here, it's simply called manati, and lives in shallow areas. As an adult, it grows up to 3 m long and can weigh up to 500 kg. One of its particularities is that it is polyphyodont, meaning that its teeth are renewed throughout its life. This phenomenon is common in reptiles and fish, but very rare in mammals. With no natural predators, the manati is seriously threatened by pollution, fishing, boat engines and, above all, water cooling... The colonization of the Dominican coast has practically eradicated the species. A few fine specimens remain, however, on the Barahona coast and in the north of the country, in a nature reserve near Punta Rucia, where you can observe them. Manatees are said to be the origin of the mermaid myth, with their lament-like song and the females' teats under their fins.
As for flora, the country has decided to protect some of its species. In Haiti, deforestation has become a national disaster, and the country is suffering badly from the ensuing desertification. Sensitive to the plight of this neighbouring country, the Dominican authorities are tightly controlling tree pruning throughout the Republic. In addition to issuing cutting permits in dribs and drabs, the authorities require trees of the same species to be replanted in regulated areas. The number varies according to the species: for every palm tree felled, ten must be replanted; for a flamboyant, five. As for precious species such as cedar, mahogany and roble, their felling is strictly forbidden by presidential decree.
Numerous factors - such as tourism, which weighs heavily on natural resources, the country's insularity, its dependence on the ecosystem, significant foreign investment and the counter-example of Haiti - are now weighing heavily on the Dominican Republic's ecological conscience and should help to safeguard its biodiversity.
