What reptile appears on the Cayman Islands flag badge?

The reptile on the Cayman Islands flag badge is a turtle.

The turtle appears on the territory’s coat of arms, displayed on the Blue Ensign. It recalls the islands’ original Spanish name, Las Tortugas, meaning “the turtles,” given because sailors encountered many turtles in the surrounding waters. The emblem also connects the animal with Cayman’s maritime heritage.

The flag’s badge contains several other symbols that can cause confusion. Three green stars represent Grand Cayman, Little Cayman and Cayman Brac, while a golden lion represents the United Kingdom. A pineapple reflects historical ties with Jamaica, and the motto refers to the islands’ relationship with the sea.

The modern flag design dates from 1999, when the coat of arms was enlarged and the white disc around it was replaced by a white outline. However, the earlier white-disc version remains common in official use, so the badge may look slightly different without changing the turtle symbol.