Animals

Profiles of Costa Rica’s wildlife, from sloths, monkeys and jaguars to frogs, snakes, insects and marine life. Each guide covers appearance, habitat, behavior and where in the country you have a good chance of seeing it.

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    Bull Shark

    Common Name: Bull Shark Type: Mammal Family: Carcharhinidae Range: Bull Sharks live in both the fresh and salt water. Off the Atlantic coast of…

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    Black Iguana

    Common Name: Black Iguana, Black Spiny-tailed Iguana, or Black Ctenosaur Type: Reptile Family: Best guesses are Iguanidae Range: The Black Iguanas are resident of…

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    Octopus

    Common Name: Octopus Type: Invertebrate Marine animal Family: Octopoda. Range: The giant Pacific octopus is common to the intertidal zone to depths of nearly…

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    Manatees

    Common Name: Manatees, Sea Cow Type: Mammal Family: Trichecidae Range: The manatees are an animal that is found mainly in warm tropical and subtropical…

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    Lion Fish

    Common Names: Lionfish, zebra fish, fire fish, Turkey fish and many more Type: Fish Family: Scorpaenidae (fire fishes, goblin fishes, Rockfishes and scorpion fishes)…

  • Hercules Beetles

    Common Name: Hercules Beetles Also called unicorn beetles and rhinoceros beetles Type: Insects Family: Scarabaeidae Range: The Hercules beetle is found in the jungles…

  • Caterpillars

    Common Name: Caterpillars Type: Insects Family: Lepidoptera Range: Worldwide Size: 30-60mm (1-2 inches) Diet: Caterpillars are Herbivore. The most of caterpillars are herbivores, and…

  • Blue Morpho Butterfly

    Common Name: Blue Morpho Butterfly Type: Insect Family: Nymphalidae Range: The most amazing insect in the tropical rainforests of Central America and South America….

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    Eagle Rays

    Type: Fish Family: Myliobatidae Range: The spotted eagle ray is commonly observed in bays and over coral reefs as well as the occasional foray…

  • Army ants

    Type: Bug/ Insects Family: Formicidae Range: Ants are available on all continents except Antarctica. It is found on forest floors in lowland areas, and…

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    Dolphin

    Type: Aquatic Mammal Family: Delphinidae Range: The Dolphin is an aquatic mammal that is found mainly in warm waters in Atlantic, pacific and Indian…

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    Caimans

    Common Name: Caimans Type: Reptile Family: Alligatoridae Range: The Caimans are found throughout the Central U.S. and South America and Costa Rica from marches…

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    Opossums

    Common Name: Opossums Type: Mammal Family: Didelphimorphia Range: The Opossums is an animal that is found mainly in forests throughout the U.S., Mexico, and…

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    Skunks

    Common Name: Skunks Type: Mammal, Scientific name: Mephitis Mephitis Costa Rica’s Skunks: Striped Hog-nosed Skunk – Conepatus semistriatus Family: Skunks are considered part of…

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    Raccoons of Costa Rica

    Common Name: Raccoon Type: Mammal Family: Procyonids Range: The Raccoon is an animal that is found mainly in forests near streams. It is also…

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    The Coyote of Costa Rica

    Common Name: Coyote Type: Mammal Family: Canidae such as wolves and domestic dogs (German shepherd), coyote looks remarkably like his two cousins. Range: Throughout…