Puerto Rico Flora And Fauna

Plant Habitats. Due to industrialization, the vast majority of primary forest on Puerto Rico has been destroyed; however, much of it has been recultivated and national reserves now protect a full 5% of Puerto Rican land. El Yunque contains 75% of the island’s scant virgin forest, including orchids, giant ferns, bamboo, and 240 species of trees. The reserve has both a high altitude cloud forest and a slightly lower altitude rainforest, consisting of sierra palms and epiphytes, plants that use other plants to climb high into the canopy. Subtropical wet forests abound at even lower elevations and, strangely, on mountains above 3000 feet. This vegetation, including open-crowned and canopy trees, can be found at Reserva Forestal Toro Negro and Bosque Estatal de Guilarte . At an even lower elevation, subtropical moist forest—most adapted to flooding caused by hurricanes—is the most common type of vegetation on the island; it can be found in Bosque Estatal de Guajataca. Southwest Puerto Rico is covered by an entirely different dry forest, defined by low rainfall and arid vegetation, including bunch grass and many varieties of cacti. Although it’s not indigenous, the brightly colored flamboyán tree is one of the most famous plants on the island. The flowering tree blooms from June to August at elevations below 2000 ft., especially along the Ruta Panorámica . Several types of mangroves grow on the calm waters around the southwest coast, the east coast, and Vieques. Mangroves develop extensive root systems that attract corals, sponges, oysters, and many fish.

Endangered Plants. Puerto Rico is home to over 40 species of endangered trees, ferns, cacti, and orchids. However, it is often difficult to identify endangered species, which are only distinguishable from their relatives by subtle physical variations. One of the easiest endangered plants to identify is the Higo Chumbo cactus. Now found only on the islands of Mona, Monito, and Desecheo, it is a narrow, night-blooming cactus that produces green, cone-shaped flowers.

Animals

Common Animals. Don’t come looking for lions, tigers, and bears—because of Puerto Rico’s volcanic origins, most animals reached the island by swimming, flying, or floating. The most famous animal in Puerto Rico is the coquí, a one-inch-long tree frog famous for its loud, distinct “ko-kee” call. Of the 16 species of coquí, 13 are endemic to Puerto Rico. The coquí is quite a tease—the first syllable of the famous coquí call serves as a warning for other frogs to go away, but the second sound, the “kee,” serves as an invitation for females to come reproduce. Puerto Ricans love their little mascot, and the coquí’s image appears on merchandise throughout the island. The frogs themselves reside in any forest area. Beyond that, Puerto Rico is home to hundreds of bird species and a variety of reptiles native to the island’s various habitats.

Many of Puerto Rico’s unique animals do not make their home on the island itself. The seas around Puerto Rico are teeming with manta rays, octopi, barracudas, bananafish, and nurse sharks, among others. The coral reefs that surround the island make for lively underwater communities of fish, crustaceans, and echinoderms—perfect for travelers interested in snorkeling and diving. In Vieques, Fajardo, and La Parguera, mangroves support populations of tiny, luminescent creatures called dinoflagellates; when the water is disturbed by a boat or swimmer, these critters make the seawater around them glow (see Swimming in Stardust). Farther offshore, humpback whales are often sighted en route to their breeding grounds in the Virgin Islands between December and May.

Puerto Rico’s most incredible wildlife is found on small Isla Mona, 50 mi. west of the mainland. This uninhabited island is home to an astounding 700 species of animals, including the 4 ft. Mona iguana and Isla Mona boa, neither of which is found anywhere else in the world. The island is often referred to as the Galapagos of the Caribbean .

Endangered Animals. One bird of note, the Puerto Rican parrot, is among the 10 most endangered species in the world—the population once dropped as low as 14 parrots. Scientists have been working for 40 years to save the species, which initially declined due to deforestation and intense human population growth. Initial results have been moderately successful; in 2006 alone, 42 new birds were born in captivity and approximately 20 were released into the wild from captivity breeding programs. The Puerto Rican parrot—identifiable by its bright green body, red forehead, wide white eye-rings, and its noisy squawks and squeals—can be found in El Yunque. On the island of Culebra, endangered leatherback and hawksbill sea turtles come ashore to lay their eggs. Leatherbacks are the largest variety of sea turtles, reaching up to six feet in length and weighing close to a ton. Hawksbills are slightly smaller, weighing in at about 300 pounds, and can be identified by their beak-like mouths and colorful, patterned shells. Visitors should never disturb turtle nests and should not visit the beaches at night.

Dangerous Animals. Travelers are advised to be wary of mongeese—small, furry mammals that look like weasels—as they have been known to carry rabies. Tarantulas, scorpions, and centipedes found in the forest may sting, but are only harmful to travelers with allergies to these creatures. There are no poisonous snakes in Puerto Rico.

A non-dangerous but certainly pesky creature prevalent on Puerto Rican beaches is the sand flea. These tiny, remarkably mobile insects emerge around dusk and leave behind a myriad of itchy bites as unsolicited souvenirs of your sunny day. Cover your legs and leave beaches before dark to avoid them. Other seaside bothers include small jellyfish.