Costa Rica (Lonely Planet, 9th Edition) - Matthew Firestone [33]
The seven species of poison-dart frog in Costa Rica are beautiful to look at but have exceedingly toxic skin secretions that cause paralysis and death.
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WILDLIFE
Nowhere else in the world are so many types of habitats squeezed into such a tiny area. In terms of number of species per 10,000 sq km, Costa Rica tops the list of countries at 615 species, compared to a wildlife-rich country such as Rwanda that has 596, or to the comparatively impoverished USA with its 104 species. This simple fact alone (not to mention the ease of travel and friendly residents) makes Costa Rica the premier destination for nature-lovers from all over the world.
The large number of species in Costa Rica is also due to the relatively recent appearance of the country. Roughly three million years ago Costa Rica rose from the ocean, and formed a land bridge between North and South America. As species from these two vast biological provinces started to mingle, the number of species essentially ‘doubled’ in the area where Costa Rica now sits.
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Animals
Though tropical in nature – with a substantial number of tropical animals such as poison-dart frogs and spider monkeys – Costa Rica is also the winter home for more than 200 species of migrating birds that arrive from as far away as Alaska and Australia. So don’t be surprised to see one of your familiar backyard birds feeding alongside trogons and toucans. Individual animals and insects are given more coverage in the Costa Rica Wildlife Guide chapter, Click here.
Two-toed sloths descend from the trees once every two weeks to defecate.
With a total of 850 species recorded in Costa Rica, it’s understandable that birds are one of the primary attractions for naturalists, who could stay for months and still barely scratch the surface in terms of seeing all these species. Birds in Costa Rica come in every color, from strawberry-red scarlet macaws to the iridescent jewels called violet sabrewings (a type of hummingbird). Because many birds in Costa Rica have restricted ranges, you are guaranteed to find different species everywhere you travel.
Visitors will almost certainly see one of Costa Rica’s four types of monkeys or two types of sloths, but there are an additional 230 types of mammals awaiting the patient observer. More exotic sightings might include the amazing four-eyed opossum or silky anteater, while a lucky few might spot the elusive tapir, or have a jaguarundi cross their path.
The extensive network of national parks, wildlife refuges and other protected areas are prime places to spot wildlife. But remember that these creatures do not know park boundaries, so keep your eyes peeled in the forested areas and buffer zones that often surround these sanctuaries. Early morning is the best time to see animals because many species sleep during the hottest part of the day. Spotting one of the nocturnal species – such as Baird’s tapir, the silky anteater and the kinkajou – requires going out at night with a strong flashlight (a great item to pack for your Costa Rica trip).
If you are serious about observing birds and animals, the value of a knowledgeable guide cannot be underestimated. Their keen eyes are trained to notice the slightest movement in the forest, and they recognize the many exotic sounds. Most professional bird guides are proficient in the dialects of local birds, greatly improving your chances of hearing or seeing these species. Furthermore, a good local guide will often have an idea where certain species tend to congregate – whether it’s quetzals eating fruit in an avocado tree, or American crocodiles catching fish at the mouth of a river. Through its National Biodiversity Institute, Costa Rica now trains locals to be professional nature guides as an alternative to letting this skilled work go to foreign guides.
No season is a bad season for exploring Costa Rica’s natural environment, though most visitors