Costa Rica Animals

Staggeringly, Costa Rica is home to over 200 known mammal, 850 bird, 180 amphibian, and 230 reptile known species, as well as an abundance of insects. Some of these species are extremely rare; Coco Island, the Highlands, and the Southern Pacific lowlands are home to animals that cannot be found anywhere else in the world, and there are a number of species that remain unidentified.

Among Costa Rica’s mammal population are a number of descendants from South America, including four different types of monkeys (spider, capuchin, howler, and squirrel) as well as the more elusive big cats (jaguars, pumas, and ocelots). About half of mammal species are bats. By far the most numerous vertebrates in Costa Rica are birds (there are more birds in Costa Rica than in Canada and the US combined), making it a prime birdwatching location. Bring a pair of binoculars, patience, a silent travel companion, and lots of luck to spot the ever-elusive quetzals, along with toucans, macaws, hummingbirds, or even the world’s most powerful bird of prey, the monkey-eating harpy eagle. Of course, many of these species are both scarce and skittish; the chances of spotting some of them are remote at best. The harpy eagle, for example, hadn’t been spotted in such a long time that it was once assumed to be extinct in Costa Rica. The last sighting was in 2003. Some of Costa Rica’s most impressive reptilian residents are the large numbers of turtles that return to their ancient nesting grounds during aggregations known as arribadas each year. With over 135 species within its borders, Costa Rica is also home to around 7.5% of the world’s snakes, though 75% of them are non-venomous. The same can’t be said for some of its more notorious amphibians: a two-inch poison dart frog has enough toxin to kill eight adult humans. Some of Costa Rica’s least appreciated residents are its insects, whose most common ambassadors—mosquitoes and sandflies—are also its least endearing representatives. Visitors can appreciate other insects, though, such as the many kinds of butterflies and dragonflies in the air and the leaf-cutter and army ants that scurry from tree to ground.

Our Bestiary: An A-Z Catalogue Of Selected Costa Rican Creatures. Solitary ANTEATERS feed on the ground and in the trees, assuming “boxer” poses when startled by predators or visitors. BRONZY hermits, one of Costa Rica’s 52 hummingbird species, are dextrous spider-hunters despite their small size. With a lineage dating back to prehistoric times, American CROCODILES grow up to 23 ft. in length and are still responsible for a few human deaths each decade. Helicopter DAMSELFLIES seem to defy the laws of physics with their delicate flight patterns, beating four wings in different directions at different speeds. The EYELASH viper has perfected the art of camouflage, with six color variations including gold and scaly hoods to cover its gleaming eyes. During the mating season of the magnificent FRIGATEBIRDS, males pound their bills against massively inflated red throat patches to announce the arrival of females overhead. The skin of the GLASS frog is transparent enough to show its stomach, intestines, beating heart, and blood vessels underneath. The showy color patterns of the HARLEQUIN beetle get lost against something much less exciting: the bracket fungus that grows on lowland rainforest trees. IGUANAS are known locally as the “chicken of the trees” because they are so widely hunted for meat. The JESUCRISTO lizard earned its nickname for its ability to run on water, and it can cover over 50 ft. in any single miraculous sprint. Though the pygmy KINGFISHER is only 5 in. long, it still manages to hunt fish and underwater insects with its long sharp beak; larger kingfishers eat snakes as well. Because oceanic pressure would crush their lungs, LEATHERBACK turtles have adapted to store oxygen in their muscle tissue when they dive deep to hunt for jellyfish. Howler MONKEYS are easier heard than seen, though they are common throughout the country and have earned a dubious reputation for their tendency to urinate on unsuspecting travelers below their perches. Male NOROPS lizards make themselves conspicuous in the underbrush when they shake their enormous dewlaps to put on mating shows for females. The majestic spotted pelt of the OCELOT has been so highly prized by hunters that the wild cat is now an endangered species. The common POTOO is an owl known as the alma perdida (lost soul) because of its mournful call, which can be heard echoing, lute-like, through the Guanacastean rainforests throughout the night. The resplendent QUETZAL protects its gorgeous emerald tail feathers by dropping backwards off perches when startled into flight. The RED-LORED parrot is known as a “seed destroyer” because it crushes spores for nutrients instead of dispersing them to promote plant growth. Two-toed SLOTHS only descend from the trees once a week to defecate. Many parasites find them to be convenient hosts because they move so slowly, and any given sloth, truly an ecosystem unto himself, can hold up to 900 insects in his fur at any given time. The huge bill of the keel-billed TOUCAN displays a magnificent blend of yellow, orange, lime green, sky blue, and cherry red. The URRACA is a striking sapphire-shaded songbird whose unmistakable topknot curves forward quite festively, resembling a stage accessory more than an evolutionary adaptation. The VINE snake earned its name from its imitative capacities, though its bite is more potent than benign facade would suggest. Humpback WHALES are visible off the Osa coast when they come south to calve during the winter. Sportfishers catch large XIPHIAS GLADIUS (a.k.a swordfish) off the coast. The YURE is a dove whose call is said to resemble the airy sound of someone blowing across the mouth of a bottle. The ZORRA Mochila is feistier than its American opossum cousins, attacking predators as opposed to “playing dead” to escape injury.

Endangered And Dangerous. Unfortunately, many of Costa Rica’s most remarkable animals are . Over 100 animal species are endangered, while another 100 remain vulnerable. The list of these unfortunate creatures reads like a “who’s who” of Costa Rican wildlife: the harpy eagle, red and green macaws, giant anteaters, manatees, Baird’s tapir, the jaguar, the puma, the ocelot, several turtle species, the American crocodile, golden toads, and the boa constrictor. Visitors should be respectful of these creatures and their habitats and also conscious of the potential risks that Costa Rican wildlife can pose to human explorers. While some animals can be intimidating, none are malicious or “eager to attack” humans. Most fear humans and will flee if possible. A few things can greatly reduce the risk of any unpleasant encounters. Though Costa Rica is home to a number of venomous snakes, wearing sturdy shoes (ideally covering your ankles), staying on trails, and keeping your eyes open virtually eliminate the risk of getting bitten by one. In addition to snakes, there are a number of nasty crawling creatures including spiders, scorpions, caterpillars, and centipedes. Scorpions and spiders generally like dark places, so check shoes and toilet seats before use. Keep your bags completely closed while camping and check items before putting them on. Mosquitoes, sandflies, and similar flying insects are mostly a nuisance but can transmit dangerous diseases such as malaria and dengue fever. Long-sleeved clothes, insect repellent, and mosquito netting are all good defenses. Poison-dart frogs have the most powerful toxin in the animal kingdom, but the poison is only effective if it enters the bloodstream or mucus membranes, so steer clear of any form of physical contact. This is a good rule to follow with unknown animals in general. Think of them as pop stars—best admired from a distance.