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Wildlife Encounters in Costa Rica

Wildlife Encounters in Costa Rica

Wildlife Encounters with Information on Specific Species in Costa Rica


Wildlife

Rescued3-Toed Sloth Costa Rica

Costa Rica is one of the best places in the world for wildlife viewing. This tiny country contains over 5% of the total wildlife species in the world. That is amazing. That is what makes Costa Rica a great destination to see many different species in their natural habitats, whatever part of the country you travel to.

Below are informative, easy to follow write-ups with images of many (always adding more) species in the categories of Mammals, Birds, Reptiles, Amphibians, Butterflies and Invertebrates. They have been written to help wildlife enthusiasts and travelers to Costa Rica, learn more about the identity and ecology of the common and rare wildlife species.

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Mammals

White Faced Capuchin Monkeys searching for food, while young baby monkey holds on tight to its mother.

Costa Rica is one of the best places in the world for wildlife viewing. This tiny country contains over 5% of the total wildlife species in the world. That is amazing. That is what makes Costa Rica a great destination to see many different species in their natural habitats, whatever part of the country you travel to.

Here are the numbers of species of the more common mammals.

MammalNumber of Species
Total Mammal Species240-250
Primates4
Sloths2
Bats+100
Wild Cats6
Squirrels5
Armadillos2
Anteaters2

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Birds

Costa Rica is a bird watcher’s paradise with nearly 900 bird species that have been recorded. Traveling to this Central American country you may get your first look at many tropical birds such as macaws, toucans, trogans and mot-mots. You will also find birds that are common in more temperate zones, such as woodpeckers, hawks and hummingbirds. But there are more species here.

Listed below are the numbers of several species of the more common birds.

BirdsNumber of Species
Total Bird Species+900
Macaws, Parrots and Parakeets17
Toucan, Toucanets and Aracari6
Herons and Egrets19
Eagles and Hawks38
Hummingbirds52
Trogons10
Tanagers2
Mot Mots6
Kingfishers6
Cormorants2
Woodpeckers16
Vultures4
Sandpipers29
Owls17

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Reptiles

Eventhough many reptiles are nocturanl and elusive creatures, a keen observer will be able to identify some of these cold-blooded creatures in Costa Rica.

Below are the numbers of the main reptile species you have a good possibility to see during your exploring wild Costa Rica.

ReptilesNumber of Species
Total Reptile Species222
Caiman and Crocodile 2
Total Turtles 14
Marine Turtles6
Total Lizards69
Iguanas3
Basilisk2
Total Snakes137
Venomous Snakes20

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Amphibians

Tropical amphibians provide a stunning display and variety in their body shape, size, behaviors and coloration. Costa Rica is a great place to see frogs and toads. Most amphibians are nocturnal and best seen during walks and hikes at night. Several of the brilliantly colored frogs are active during the day and depending where you are in Costa Rica, will be able see these precious creatures.

AmphibiansNumber of Species
Total Amphibian Species~190
Total Frogs and Toads138
Toads18
Poison Dart Frogs8
Glass Frogs13
Tree Frogs42
Rain Frogs
Salamanders 44
Cacelians7

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Insects

Insects are the largest group around the world and in Costa Rica. It is a very diverse group.

InsectsNumber of Species
Total Insect Species+250,000
Butterflies1,250
Moths8,000
Spiders2
Beetles2
Ants
Grasshoppers, Crickets and Katydids
Scorpions

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