Puerto Rico Wildlife

Land Animals. Puerto Rico is lucky to have very few dangerous animals. There are no poisonous snakes and the most threatening land animal is the rabid mongoose. This species was originally imported to control the rat population and now runs wild, especially in El Yunque. If you see a small, furry, weasel-like animal, chances are it’s a mongoose. Simply walk away as quickly as possible. Mosquitoes and other flying nuisances are especially bothersome in rural areas of Puerto Rico and may carry tropical diseases. Insects reach peak annoyance levels between May and November and travelers will probably want to bring bug repellent containing DEET.

Creatures Of The Sea. Jellyfish and sea lice populate the seas around Puerto Rico, but few have fatal stings. To protect yourself from jellyfish stings, wear protective clothing (a wet suit or lycra) when spending extensive amounts of time in the water. The Portuguese Man-of-War has been known to inhabit Caribbean waters. Purplish-blue in color with tentacles up to 30 ft. long, the Portuguese Man-of-War also has a painful and potentially dangerous sting, which can cause anaphylactic shock, interference with heart and lung function, and even death. If you are stung by a Portuguese Man-of-War, rinse the sting with salt or fresh water and apply a cold compress to the affected area. If pain persists or if breathing difficulty develops, consult a medical professional. Shark attacks in Puerto Rico are extremely rare—Puerto Rico has had eight unprovoked shark attacks since 1749, and only two were fatal. Still, sharks—especially small nurse sharks—do patrol the Caribbean. Surfers and spearfishers are at greatest risk; swimmers are advised to stay out of the water at dawn and dusk when sharks move toward shore to feed. Experts also advise against wearing high-contrast clothing or shiny jewelry and to avoid excessive splashing, all of which can attract sharks.