|
Flora and Fauna
FLORA
The flora biodiversity is also high. 10,000 species of vascular plants
have been reported. Orchids alone account for over 1200 species. The
national flower is the orchid, Cattleya skinneri.
ORCHIDS
1,200 varieties most diverse in humid forest at 2,625-6,562 ft. elevation
VINES and Company
Woody vines, lianas, bush ropes and herbaceous climbers
A remarkable type of liana species is the una de gato, its tendrils
and leaves resemble cat claws. The longest lianas are rattans, which
may grow to 500 feet. It serves to close the canopy and offers protection
to animals such as sloths.
HELICONIAS
Famous as an ornamental
30 species
Infusion of bright color
Relatives to this species are: bananas, birds-of-paradise, gingers,
and prayer plants.
Habitat- Lowland forest, middle elevation or cloud forests, Near rivers
and roads, they thrive in light gaps
Attract Hummingbirds
TREES
Over 1400 species
Pilon , used for furniture, walls, beams
Manu, Manwood, termite resistant,
Ira Roosa, furniture
Fruta Dorada, (wild nutmeg)
Calyptrogyn (dovetail)
Poro, used to shade coffee and fix nitrogen in the soil
Jicaro
African Palms
Palm Oil
Jolillo Palms
EPIPHYTES
247 species in Costa Rica
Pitahaya silvestre, thrives in NW, its flowers, some 12' long,
open at night, strong jasmine scent
Bromeliads, are ground dwelling epiphytes. The most famous is the Pina
pineapple
Papaya
UNIQUE NATIVES
Coconut Palm: brackish tidal swamps and dune swales
Balsa: humid subtropical and tropical areas
Other
Rado de mica, monkey tail ferns, in high rainfall forests
Zamia, resemble small palms
Sangre de cristo's, leaves resemble stained glass windows
Jaragua, most common cultivated pasture grass regenerative after fires
Sombrilla de pobre, enormous leaves used as umbrella, common in elevated
areas
Passionflowers
Labios ardientes- lend color to the rainforest landscape
FAUNA
In this region it is the most biodiverse range of habitats in the country.
There 615 species
of birds, 200 mammal species,160 species of amphibians, 220 species
of reptiles, 130 species of freshwater fish
MAMMALS
MONKEYS
Howler
Black-handed spider monkey
White-throated capuchin
Central American squirrel monkey
RACOON FAMILY
Northern raccoon
Kinkajou
Olingo
Cacomistle
WEASLE FAMILY
Grison
Southern river otter
Tayra
CAT FAMILY
Jaguar (king of the rainforest)
Puma
Ocelot
Tiger cat
Margay
Oncilla
Jaguarondi
MARSUPIALS
Opossum
EDENTATAS
Three-toed sloth
Two-toed sloth
Silky anteater
Lesser anteater
Northern tamandua
Armadillos
Giant anteater
PERISODACTYLES
Baird's Tapir
PECCARIES AND DEER
Collared peccary
White lipped peccary
White tailed deer
Red brocket deer
MANATEES
REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS
Lizards
Frogs
Salamanders
TURTLES
Snapping turtle
Mud turtle
Hawksbill
Loggerhead
Leatherback
Pacific ridley
Pacific green
BIRDS
Over 615 species of birds at Corcovado Preserve
One of the best spots for bird watching is at the Corcovado Preserve
and along the Rio Sierpe and Delta del Terraba.
Some important species: Brightly colored parakeets, trogons, macaws,
(red macaws) hummingbirds, pelicans, shrikes, swallows, wrens, thrushes,
warblers, ovenbirds, cuckoos, hawks, swifts, owls, egrets, and others
FISH (some)
Whales
Blue Marlin
Dorado
Tuna
Wahoo
|
