Why Isla de Ratones
Isla de Ratones, which translates to Mice Island, is an uninhabited landform situated off the southern coast of Puerto Rico. Located within the barrio Canas of the Ponce municipality, it sits about one kilometer south of the mainland shore across from Punta Cucharas. It is one of seven islands belonging to Ponce, alongside other features such as Caja de Muertos and Cardona.
The terrain is low-lying and primarily covered in brushwood and dry forest, reflecting the arid climate of the area. Although treated as a single geographic entity, Isla de Ratones actually consists of two separate islets. During high tide, these landmasses are divided by a few feet of shallow water, but they merge into one continuous landform at low tide. This tidal change expands its surface area from 6.94 cuerdas to 12.35 acres, making it roughly fifty percent larger at low tide than neighboring Cardona Island.
The island earned its name due to the historical abundance of rodents present on its grounds. In 2010, the landform drew public interest when the Puerto Rican Bird Society, collaborating with the Ponce Yacht and Fishing Club, initiated an environmental campaign aimed at removing the black rat population from the location.
While Isla de Ratones is not formally designated as an official nature reserve, it falls under the administration of the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources. Because of its close proximity to the mainland coastline, the island serves as a frequent destination and landing spot for water activities, including kayaking.
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