Flora and Fauna of Costa Rica

Flora and Fauna of Costa Rica

By Dr. Kyle Muller

Costa Rica is a country admired by the great biodiversity that it presents in its territory, its 51,100 km2 house more than 95,000 species described. This would be approximately 5% of the described biodiversity of the planet. In addition, it is a country that is within the 20 countries with the greatest biodiversity in the world.

If you want to know what types of animals are in Costa Rica, as well as knowing some examples of the Flora of Costa Rica, do not stop reading this interesting ecology article about the Flora and Fauna of Costa Rica.

Characteristics of the Flora and Fauna of Costa Rica

On the one hand, the Costa Rica plants They are one of the best known groups since it is studied since the XLX century. Among them are non -vascular, lower vascular plants, ferns, gymnosperms and angiosperms. It can be said that almost 95 % of existing plants species are known.

On the other hand, in terms of fauna, it is difficult to respond to doubts as how many animals of animals are in Costa Rica or how many bird species houses Costa Rica, for example. Actually, they are difficult questions to answer, since all the species found in the territory have not been described. However, this is currently the approximate number of the species that have been recorded; 237 species of mammals, 234 reptiles, 1,150 fish, 854 birds. This list has mentioned only vertebrate animals that, together with the plants, within the fauna are the best known and studied. However, with respect to marine species, invertebrates and microorganisms it is known that there is a high wealth and variability of species, but they are the least known next to the species found in high -rise areas. In addition, as in all territories there are endemic species, but the endemism of Costa Rica is considered moderate.

Flora of Costa Rica

Between the Costa Rica vegetation We highlight the following species:

  • Tabacรณn o Anthurium upalaense: This plant inhabits wet and very humid forests, blooms throughout the year and is commonly grown in gardens. It is characterized by having a short stem, lanceolate leaves that form rosettes and light green.
  • Passion flower or Passiflora chimuensis: It is a large Liana, presents stems that reach up to 30 cm in diameter and grow in the forest canopy. It is an endemic from Costa Rica.
  • Colorado Higuerรณn or Costararican ficus: It is a tree that can reach up to 12 m high with ovate leaves, are found in humid forests between 0 and 1,400 m high above sea level. It is a species with normally epiphyte habit, that is, it lives on the leaves or cortex of other species.

Flora and Fauna of Costa Rica - Flora de Costa Rica

Costa Rica fauna

I enter the Animals from Costa Rica We highlight these species:

  • White tail or Odocoileus virginianus: It is a representative animal of Costa Rica, in fact, it was declared a symbol of the fauna of Costa Rica in 1995. It is characterized by being a medium -sized deer, with long and thin legs. Its fur is brown and in the inside its color is white. It is in danger of extinction for illegal hunting and habitat destruction.
  • Pelรณn fox or Virginian Didelphis: It is a mammal that lives in the northern region of Costa Rica (Guanacaste). It is characterized by a little dense white/yellowish fur, around its eyes it has a reddish/black ring. Its ears are naked, pink and the tail is presile.
  • Titรญo mono Saimiri Oerstedii: It is the smallest primate that can be found in Costa Rica, presents a yellowish fur, its limbs and spine are orange, its nose and honey color cheekbones and its black eyes and snout. Currently, it can only be found in the Manuel Antonio National Park in Quepos, since it is threatened by deforestation and illegal sale.

Other species of animals that characterize Costa Rica They are the monkeys, lazy bears, the pelicans, the hummingbirds, the toucans, the iguanas, the crocodiles, the monarch butterfly, scorpions, among others.

Flora and Fauna of Costa Rica - Fauna de Costa Rica

Importance of the Flora and Fauna of Costa Rica

As mentioned above, Costa Rica is one of the 20 countries with the greatest biodiversity of the planetso it is considered a megadiverse country. Biodiversity causes a balance in ecosystems to be maintained thanks to the interactions that exist between this and the species, in addition to the greater biodiversity of a greater territory are the ecosystem services that it provides. The Ecosystem services They are indispensable for the survival of any species, including the human species.

In danger of extinction in Costa Rica

In the following list they are shown Animals of Costa Rica that are in danger of extinctionand have been cataloged by IUCN:

  • Congo monkey or Alouatta Palliata
  • Cantil duck or Fulica Heliornis
  • Green Limรณn Guacamaya or ara ambiguus
  • Golfina turtle or Lepidochelys Olivacea
  • Sorey Sabanero or Cistothorus platansis
  • Rana Arlquรญn, from the family of Buffonidae
  • Lute turtle or Dermochelys Coriacea
  • Chacho de Montelen or Tayassu Pecari
  • Manati or Trichechus manatus
  • Mangrove amazilia or Amazilia Boucardi

Flora and Fauna of Costa Rica - Animals in danger of extinction in Costa Rica

Flora and Fauna of Costa Rica -

If you want to read more articles similar to Flora and Fauna of Costa Ricawe recommend that you enter our biodiversity category.

Literature
  • National System of Conservation Areas – SINAC CDB Focal Point. November 2009. Republic of Costa Rica. IV Country Report to the Biological Diversity Agreement: https://www.cbd.int/doc/world/c/cr-nr-04-es.pdf
Kyle Muller
About the author
Dr. Kyle Muller
Dr. Kyle Mueller is a Research Analyst at the Harris County Juvenile Probation Department in Houston, Texas. He earned his Ph.D. in Criminal Justice from Texas State University in 2019, where his dissertation was supervised by Dr. Scott Bowman. Dr. Mueller's research focuses on juvenile justice policies and evidence-based interventions aimed at reducing recidivism among youth offenders. His work has been instrumental in shaping data-driven strategies within the juvenile justice system, emphasizing rehabilitation and community engagement.
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