Bestowed with an intense array of biodiversity and environmental attractions, Costa Rica is actually located between two seas and two continents. It is more than a vacation destination and it offers some of the most different species of wild animals of the world. More than 500,000 different species of wild life live in this country and it is about 4% of all the species of wildlife, insect of the whole world. This country is one of the best places in the world to observe animals in their natural habitat. The south Pacific region of Golfo Dulce (Sweet Gulf) is one of the most intense zones for watching the wild animals and plants. Here goes top 10 weird and exotic animals of Costa Rica:

American Crocodile:

The American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) is a species of crocodilian. This species of crocodile is usually found in southern Florida and Ecuador. In Costa Rica it is also found in huge number. Though these species of crocodile is usually found in 10 to 13 ft length, in Costa Rica, those are found with about 13 to 16 ft. length. About 1500 of this species of crocodiles live in South and Central America and in Mexico. The species is currently threatened. This species of crocodile has a more V-shaped snout. In their undersides, adults crocodile has grayish-green color with yellow or white color.

Chestnut-Mandibled Toucan:

In Central America, The Chestnut-Mandibled Toucan is the largest toucan. This toucan usually eats fruit but sometime also get insects and small snakes when the opportunity presents itself. Canopies of highland wet forests and lowland are the places where this large bird species live. In Costa Rica if you visit the wet forest lowlands of the Pacific side along the Cordillera de Talamanca up to Carara and on the Caribbean side, you will find the opportunities to spot this toucan species. Male Toucans are larger than the female birds but both genders are similar in appearance. On the underside of their tail feather, these birds have red color and they also have white rump. Its large and curved bill has brown and yellow color.

Coati:

With its long snout and faintly ringed tail, this mammal is totally different. This mammal has a long tail that is longer than its rest of the body. Its body color also varies and it is yellowish, pale, reddish or dark brown. In its tail it has brown and yellow color and in its shoulders there is a white snout tip. These animals have strong jaws, sharp teeth and can swipe quickly with their paws. Coati’s eyes are ringed with a reddish or brown mask. This mammal is also known as the ‘Snookum Bear’. Coati can be found as far north as Southern Arizona and stretch down into the Northern Argentina. This mammal can survive at elevations of up to 3,000 m in any wooded habitat. In pine and oak forests and also in lowland tropical rain forests and also in deserts this mammal can be found.

Golden Orb Weavers:

An amazing spider, the golden orb weaver spins gold silk. With its web it attracts bees and sometimes also can catch small birds in its webs. Webs, created by the Golden Orb Weavers, are extremely strong. Among the surviving spiders, this spider is the oldest species and it was found almost 165 million years ago with a fossilized specimen. Usually in the most warm parts of the earth, this Golden Orb Weavers exists. These creepy looking spiders are quite venomous though not aggressive toward humans.

King Vulture:

King vulture are strong scavengers and the last remaining member of its genus. This species has a very colorful look that distinguishes them from their vulture relatives. These species have while color with black tails and wing tips. They often have straw-colored eyes and on their head and necks they have multi-color such as orange, yellow and red. These birds are 27 to 32 inches in length and its wing span can be up to 6 feet 6 inches wide. These species of vulture usually spread out from Southern Mexico all the way to Northern Argentina.

Mexican Tree Frog:

Mexican Tree Frog is unique because of the sound it creates. This frog species account for about one third of the frogs found in Costa Rica. These frogs are usually found in areas of the southwestern U.S. and down to the country.There is no particular data with the information of actual population count but these species of frogs are not in a danger of becoming extinct.

Ocelot:

Ocelots are also known as a dwarf leopard. From the house cats, Ocelots are about twice in size. This incredibly adorable looking wild kitty is prevalent in most areas of South and Central America. These cats are 38 to 60 inches in length and 20 to 35 pounds in weight. Due to hunting, once these species of cats were listed as vulnerable but now they are not considered as a threatened. With their massive feet and light weight, these cats are amazing tree climbers.

Strawberry Poison Dart Frog:

The strawberry poison dart frog can change from red boiled with blue legs to green with black spots to navy blue. This unique creature is different for many reasons but in particular is its ability to morph. These frogs are found all throughout the Central America and Puerto Rico and these are only toxic in the wild. These frogs can create its poisonous defenses from natural elements found in the jungle.

Three-Toed Sloth:

Three-toed sloths have long coarse hair over dense underfur, a white face with a brown stripe on each side. Its body is pale brown to yellowish color and has a brown throat. Adult male sloths have unique pattern of yellow hair on their back with a black stripe through the center. It is named ‘three-toed’ because it has three toes on each of its front and hind feet. This species of sloth is incredibly slow. They usually live high in the jungle canopy and coming down only once a week or so. They sleep 16 to 18 hours each day. They move along the trees very slowly and stay close to their home range.

White Headed Capuchin Monkey:

Native to the forests of Central America and the north-western part of South America, White Headed Capuchin Monkey is quite clever animal. These monkeys are known to use tools as weapons and as a means of getting food. These monkeys are usually seen hanging out in groups of up to 40 monkeys. In average these monkeys can live to be over 54 years old. The average life span of a White faced monkey is 44 years. These monkey’s diet consists of mix fruits and insects, however, from time to time small birds, small mammals and seeds also.