The island’s “mountain chicken” doesn’t fly, it hops.
Dominica contains just four amphibians, which is surprising given the island's biodiversity and fauna, and one of them is known as a crapaud (French for "toad"), gigantic ditch frog, or "mountain chicken." It's one of the world's largest, only found on Dominica and Montserrat, and is so famous that it's included on Dominica's official seal. Also, it tastes just like chicken. This was a popular meal on the island a few years ago. The frog population has plummeted as a result of its popularity. It's unlikely to be on any menu these days.
The "Mountain Chicken" or Crapaud is a big smooth-skinned frog native to Dominica and Monserrat, ranging in color from brown to grey depending on local ecology. The male is distinguished by a small black thumb claw that assists in mating. It was once widespread in the nearby French islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe, but because it is considered a delicacy, it has been hunted to extinction in recent years. There are three types of little tree frogs. Iguanas are common in coastal locations, where they spend most of their time in trees, where they sometimes go unnoticed due to their remarkable camouflage. The dominating elderly men become grey and black, with a frill under their chin. Tree lizards, also known as zandoli in the native language, are the most common sightings on the island. They may brighten or darken their hue (but not quickly) to fit their environment. Males are territorial and use a bright orange neck fan to scare opponents.
