Ever wonder exactly what animals reside on FUDEBIOL's protected lands? Read below!
FUDEBIOL is home to over 300 species of birds (aves)! They can be spotted flying over Costa Rica's bountiful forests and within the full tree branches. Because of the vast amount of birds that call FUDEBIOL's forests home, the reserve is a favorite for bird watchers. See how many you can spot on your next visit!
Nutria, (also known as Copus) are relatively large semi-aquatic rodents. They live in areas with a great deal of freshwater, and are native to South America. They enjoy the natural freshwater pools scattered across FUDEBIOL's land, and it is quite common to see one swimming. Nutria are normally herbivores, and enjoy various grasses and leaves for meals. However, they have begun to eat the fish that also call FUDEBIOL's lakes home, temporarily wiping them out.
Coyotes live throughout FUDEBIOL's lands as well. Native to North America, coyotes are thought to have migrated into Costa Rica during the late 1970s. They tend to be monogamous, mating, if not for life, for many years. It is not uncommon to see mated partners sticking together. Coyotes are primarily nocturnal, and complete most of their hunting and travelling during night hours, as to not interact with humans, so it's relatively unlikely you'll see one while walking through FUDEBIOL's trails.
You're likely to see some Opossums (Zorro Pelon), bounding through FUDEBIOL's property when you visit. These animals are known as opossums in North America, but as "bald foxes" in South and Central America. They are nocturnal and eat almost anything!
White Nosed Coati (Pizotes) have made FUDEBIOL their home as well. A member of the raccoon family, coatimundi are native to South and Central America. They can be identified by their long, lengthy, fluffy tails, and sharp, short claws. Pizotes commonly use their tails for balance while climbing, and can typically be seen holding them straight up in the air!
White Faced Monkies (Mono Cara Blancas), live throughout FUDEBIOL's forests. They can be seen jumping between branches and climbing up trees, as most of their lives are spent above ground in order to avoid predators and find food. It is not uncommon to see them using sticks and stones as tools to open up hard seeds and nuts. They live primarily in Central American countries, like Costa Rica, and are known as incredibly intelligent animals.
Blue Morpho Butterflies (Morpho Azul Mariposas), are one of the many butterfly species that call FUDEBIOL their home. They have bright blue inner wings, to warn predators, such as birds, of their poisonous nature and deter them. As seen in the middle photo, their outer wings are brown with random circle patterns throughout. This provides them with camouflage on trees and other barked plants.
Glasswing Butterflies (Alas de Cristal Mariposas), live primarily in Central America, and are another species of butterfly that reside on FUDEBIOL grounds. They are named, fittingly, for the clear, see-through, glass-like nature of their wings which provide them with camouflage in nearly any environment. Their lifespan is 6-12 weeks, which is longer than the average butterfly. Glasswing butterflies are incredibly fast and strong, able to fly up to 8 mph and carry 40 times their own body weight.
Watch out for this snake! The Velvet, or Fer-de-Lance Snake (Terciopelo Culebra) is one of the most dangerous and poisonous snakes in the world, and has a lethal bite. They are found in South America, and are present throughout Costa Rica. If you see this snake at FUDEBIOL, steer clear! Because of their large size, (1.2-2.5 meters long), black-edged diamonds with light boards, and triangular head, they are hard to miss. They are commonly gray or brown. These snakes are integral in controlling large rat populations, and are therefore incredibly important to the ecosystem. Luckily for us, they are nocturnal, meaning that they are likely to be curled up in some leaves and out of your way during the day!
"Jumping Vipers" (Mano de Piedras) are another species of venomous snake that lives in FUDEBIOL's forests. Make sure to watch out for them as well! Mano de Piedra snakes received their name because their appearance is similar to a mano, the stone used to crush corn by hand. The name jumping viper comes from their ability to "jump" a few feet upwards into the air. They are relatively small, around 3 feet in length, and, like most other snakes, won't bother you if you leave them to enjoy their habitat in peace.
Tilapia, Koi, and Trout (shown in order, left to right) are three types of fish that reside in FUDEBIOL's waters. As stated above, the fish population is temporarily struggling because of the nutria's eating habits. Check out the ponds on your next visit to FUDEBIOL to see which of these fish you spot as their population recovers!
Each one of us can make a difference. Together, we can make a change. ~Barbra Mikulski
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