Jamaica's animal life, similar to that of the West Indies in general, is characterized by highly diverse bird species. Parrots, hummingbirds, cuckoos, and green todies are especially abundant on the island.
Over 150 resident and migratory bird species inhabit Jamaica's mountains. Migratory birds include the worm-eating warbler and the Swainson's warbler. Notable endemic species include the Jamaican blackbird, yellow-billed parrot, and ring-tailed pigeon, all of which are found nowhere else in the world. Cockpit Country alone hosts 79 of Jamaica's bird species, with at-risk species such as the black-billed parrot, yellow-billed parrot, ring-tailed pigeon, and plain pigeon.
The Jamaican boa, the island's largest land predator, and the black racer are two at-risk snake species found in Cockpit Country. Six of Jamaica's seven snake species are endemic to the island.
The Jamaica kite (blue swallowtail) and the giant swallowtail, both endemic and at-risk, are butterfly species residing in Cockpit Country. The giant swallowtail is the second-largest butterfly in the world.
Three species of bats are endemic to Jamaica, including the at-risk Jamaican flower bat. Other bats in Cockpit Country, such as the hairy-tailed bat (notable for commonly giving birth to twins) and the Jamaican fig-eating bat, do not roost in caves and are unique to Jamaica.
The mountainous regions provide prime habitat for tree frogs, giant swallowtail butterflies, and the Jamaican hutia (also known as the coney), which is the island's only native land mammal. The hutia is similar in size to a groundhog.
This rich diversity makes Jamaica's wildlife unique and highlights the importance of conservation efforts to protect these endemic and at-risk species.