Costa Rican Wildlife

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Hey guys,

I hope you find this interesting... just a quick look at a few of the species we have spotted in Costa Rica, and I've managed to take half decent photos of!
The highlight so far was definately watching the troop of wild capuchin monkeys - we stood about 10m away from them and just snapped away the photos

I wanted to give you good detailed species info but have no time (or money!) to spend searching costa rican wildlife info on the net. So if you feel inspired, look them up!

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Photos

Spider
This particular individual spent an entire week hanging above my head as I collected behaviour data on a couple of margay

Blue morpho butterfly
It is impossible to get a shot of the gorgeous irridescent blue on the inside of the wings when in flight, so check out the bronze eye spot on the closed wing instead

Boa Constricter
Ali had a bit of an adventure when this snake was found in the rabbit cages at Profelis, complete with a rabbit sized bulge in its stomach! The snake was caught up and released about 0.5km away into the bush

Cane Toad (Giant neotropical toad)
These are everywhere and always come out late afternoon when it rains... 'ave a go at those huge poison glands! crikey :)

Common house gecko
Also everywhere around our houses (hence the name), these guys make a great chattering sound. It is said in Costa Rica, that they will always chatter when someone around the dinner table has just lied... that would make ticos a pretty untrustworthy bunch! Glad to say its no true :)

Brown capuchin monkey
Our first wild monkey troop sighting! This was exciting, we watched a troop of about 7 brown capuchins cross a large gap in the edge of the forest canopy, about 100m from our house

Jaguaroundi (Yaguarundi)
The most adaptable of the cat species in central america, so the least threatened. Solitary, terrestrial and highly territorial. This individual is Baghira, a gorgeous 8 year old rescued from private ownership and being held at Profelis

Ocelot (Manigordo)
The most timid and least diurnal of the smaller cat species in Costa Rica, they are larger and more solid than margay, and hunt primarily on the ground

Margay (Caucel)
Margay are the most arboreal of the cats, with amazing rotateable paws that can cling to the thinnest branches. They have been the most successfully released species for Profelis, since they require less dense and protected forest. This is Jonas..

Fungus growing ants (Mycocepurus)
Mostly we dislike the ants here with a passion since they will almost always be the stinging and highly aggressive fire ants, but we like these hard working farmers who build mounds on the forest floor and cultivate fungi using leaf cuttings - which they are seen carrying here

Squirrel
I cannot find the common or scientific name for this species ANYWHERE.. but they are pretty common around Profelis, and very cheeky. Will sit right in front of you until you're just about to click the photo and then will run away. Everytime!

Chicas desde Nueva Zelanda
Although an introduced species to Costa Rica... these two chicas have no negative impacts (we hope!)... and could certainly be considered wild!

Comments

[Uncle Craig]

Chicas desde!
I think the Chicas desde Nueva Zelanda are GORGEOUS!!!! Can you send me some so I can look after them please??????

[Cassy]

Thanks
aaww thanks uncle Craig. Miss you heaps too!