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Renowned for its remarkable biodiversity, Costa Rica is a sanctuary for captivating wildlife species. From its lush rainforests to coastal expanses, diverse ecosystems nurture an array of creatures. The intelligence and comprehension displayed by these species have perpetually intrigued scientists and nature enthusiasts. Immerse yourself in the captivating world of Costa Rican wildlife and experience the delicate balance of its ecosystems, a testament to the beauty of nature’s intricacy.
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Costa Rican Vultures: Hey … Somebody Has to Take Out the Garbage!
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Dirty, gross, awful… a few words commonly associated with vultures, but in reality anything but the truth. Vultures are an essential part of the ecosystem. They provide a vital service by cleaning up what would otherwise become a...
Protecting One Species at a Time
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Protecting One Species at a Time. The theme of Earth Day 2019 is “Protect our Species.” With over 500,000 wildlife species in Costa Rica, it is vital to keep the biodiversity alive and thriving in this Central American isthmus....
Creature Feature: Oropendolas of Costa Rica
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Gregarious and loud, their unmistakable calls resembling a crowd of people all gargling at the same time, they are heard before being seen. Oropendolas, the largest member of the blackbird family that includes blackbirds, orioles,...
Conchal National Mixed Wildlife Refuge: Connecting with Nature and Each Other
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Tucked away in the back corner of Reserva Conchal is an untouched paradise, providing an essential habitat for migratory birds, traveling monkeys and endangered species. It was an idyllic setting recently for Howler Troop members to...
Las Pumas Animal Rescue Center Not Responsible for Cross-Species Love
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] I knew we would see big cats when we went to the Las Pumas animal rescue center in Cañas, Costa Rica. I didn’t know we would see a collared peccary in love with a three-legged deer. But there they were in the same enclosure, the...
Wildlife Rescue: Turtle in Trouble
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Wildlife Rescue Turtle in Trouble: As some Howler readers may be aware, my final year of veterinarian training was focused on wildlife rescue before I established my current practice in Guanacaste. I was interested in that specialty...
Monkey Poop Bombs Away!
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Monkey throwing poop – bombs away: Howler monkeys are what visitors to the Gold Coast typically like to see up close and personal. However, howlers are arboreal — that is, they spend most of their lifetime high up in the branches of...
American Crocodile
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] American Costa Rica Crocodile: Visitors in Costa Rica can view the American crocodile at one of several prime spots, about 50 miles (85 km) west of San José, on the Tarcoles River. Here, they can be seen in abundance from the...
Elephant Beetle
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] The elephant beetle is an exceptionally large, herbivorous insect species. Most of its time is spent in trees, feeding on decaying wood, sap and fruit. As the elephant beetle name implies, these creatures are elephantine in size...
Oncilla: Costa Rica’s little spotted cat
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Costa Rica creature feature oncilla: Oncilla, often referred to as the little spotted cat, or in Costa Rica as the tigrillo. This Costa Rica cat is the smallest species of wildcat in this country. Living in the mountain forests at...
Tree Boas
Three species of tree boa are common throughout many areas of Costa Rica: garden, annulated and black-tailed. As their name indicates, all three types of tree boa are characterized by their arboreal existence. They are very efficient constrictors, preying on lizards...
Let’s Hear it For the Howler
[vc_row full_width="full_width"][vc_column][vc_column_text]Howler monkeys are the largest of the New World monkeys, comprising several distinct species throughout the tropics of Central and South America. The Ecuadorian mantled howler is the subspecies recognized in...
Bullet Ants: Pain You Don’t Want to Feel
The lesser giant hunting ant (Paraponera clavata), more commonly known as the bullet ant, is no stranger to Costa Rica. This insect species inhabits the wet neotropic ecozone, from Honduras in the north through Brazil in the south. It can grow to more than an inch in...
Toucan Species in Costa Rica
[vc_row full_width="full_width"][vc_column][vc_column_text]Probably one of the first things you hear from a new visitor is, “Where can I see the ‘Fruit Loops’ Bird”? Toucans are the quintessential bird of the tropics: big, bold, colorful and always a treat to see. Not...
Cool Adventure – A Whale’s Tale: Whale Watching in Costa Rica
[vc_row full_width="full_width"][vc_column][vc_column_text]Costa Rica has long been known as a destination to see wildlife such as birds, sloths, frogs and monkeys. But in recent years, a new attraction has emerged: whale watching. According to the Costa Rican...
Jaguars Have Crucial Place in Ecosystem
Jaguars are the largest feline species in Costa Rica and the third-largest on the planet, next to lions and tigers. Average size varies by geographic location, with larger jaguars tending to live in habitats further south. Male jaguars are generally about 20 percent...