The natural history of costa rican mammals book, 2002. The most famous residents are some of the most rarely seen getting pictures of a jaguar or tapir for example is almost impossible without an automatically triggered infrared camera trap. Introductory chapters cover habitats, parks and conservation in costa rica. It is an important seed disperser for plants in its habitat.
An estimated of 500,000 species can be found in this small country with many biological wonders. The mammals of costa rica is an extremely useful and comprehensive guide to the mammal species of costa rica, one of the most important countries for conservation in the americas today. Describes costa ricas readily identifiable terrestrial and freshwater mammals. Your findings may help to develop a permanent marine protected area. This book was previously published under the title the natural history of costa rican mammals. Image from page 226 of a year of costa rican natural hist. Zona tropical as the natural history of costa rican mammals this edition is a repackaging, rather than an update.
An excellent general introduction which uses many examples from costa rica. Natural history of costa rican mammals is an excellent reference for serious naturalists, tour guides, educators, and researchers who teach or work in the tropics. Costa rican mammals range in size from the 3gram thumbless bat of the family furipteridae to the 250. Plants of monteverde, costa rica species lists of plants occurring in the monteverde region with data on pollination and seed dispersal, publications, identification tools, and links to other sites. Over 400 illustration of the mammals, their tracks, scats, dens, and anatomical details combined with identification keys, range maps, vocalization descriptions, sexual behavior, derivations of common and scientific names, evolutionary history, local folklore and mythology give a complete picture for costa ricas common and more elusive mammals. Sloan 1970 noted that the fossil floral record of the present united states indicates a change from a temperate to more tropical conditions from the paleo. The most commonly seen of costa rica s three anteaters species is the northern tamandua. Biology and natural history the agouti is diurnal unless it is too severely hunted. Bulletin of the american museum of natural history 331. Golfo dulce, a narrow inlet on the southern pacific coast of costa rica, provides a. On an extraordinary learning adventure by luxury yacht, experience the contrast of buzzing, technicolor panama city central americas most cosmopolitan capital with the striking natural beauty and lazy pace found in the iconic waters and coastline of panama and costa rica. The absolutely fabulous new field guide wainwright 2007 added to our interest. They may sniff out invertebrates under the forest litter like insects, spiders, millipedes, or snails, or catch lizards, mice, or other vertebrates of similar size. Costa rica is home to about 225 species of mammals, roughly six percent of the worlds species.
This outstanding book is a field guide to the natural history of costa rica featuring 350 color illustrations of common birds, mammals, amphibians and reptiles. This is a compact guide with a historical and cultural overview of. Originally published in costa rica in 2002 by zona tropical as the natural history of costa rican mammals this edition is a repackaging, rather than an update. Costa rican mammals range in size from the 3gram thumbless bat of the family furipteridae to the 250 kg 550 lb bairds tapir. Alfred gardner smithsonian national museum of natural history. During our birding trip to costa rica in dec 2007, we were very interested in locating and photographing mammals, at least diurnal ones. The major portion of the book consists of detailed accounts of agricultural species, vegetation, amphibians, reptiles, mammals, birds, and insects. A field guide to the mammals of central america & southeast mexico. Because their diet consists of this poor nutrition, their metabolism is so low that it calls for their laziness and low body. Generally they are shy, often nocturnal and sometimes rare and endangered. The natural history of costa rican mammals nhbs field. Costa rica location, geography, people, culture, economy.
See program brochure here you will become informed about the contexts ecological, social, and political in which the natural resources exist and the challenges they face. The wild jaguar can also be found in some wildlife refuges throughout the costa rican jungle, such as the lowest levels of the cordillera talamanca, tortuguero, santa rosa, corcovado and the rio macho. Ots also works to guarantee that local people benefit from the ecotourism in costa rica. The coati diet is richly omnivorous and opportunistic, comprised of whatever fruits and prey are available in their area, and adjusting with season. This book goes beyond the realm of normal field guides, providing detailed scientific information as well as the conservation status of particular species. The following tags are used to highlight each species conservation status as assessed by the international. This precipitated the arrival of a swiss mining engineer, henri francois pittier, accompanied by others whose names are very much part of costa rican history. Whitelined bats are common nocturnal mammals in drake bay, costa rica. Bats are nocturnal mammals of drake bay, costa rica, commonly observed on the night tour with tracie the bug lady. The natural history of costa rican mammals, with a preface. Distributional and natural history notes for selected. Web page contains detailed information and stunning photographs. Mark wainwright is a nature guide and instructor for tropical ecology courses in costa rica, and has written and illustrated costa rican field identification pamphlets and childrens books. The natural history of costa rican mammals by mark wainwright, 2002.
Pdf the natural history of costa rican mammals researchgate. Costa rica mammals and other wildlife during focus on nature. Pablo biolley, julian carmiol, gustavo michaud, and juan rudin. As is wellknown of them, they are very slow movers, that spend most of their lives on trees, where they feed on leaves. The best costa rica books to read before you go oars.
Of the mammal species in costa rica, one is critically endangered, four are endangered, six are. With more than four hundred spectacular illustrations and a wealth of detailed. Central american squirrel monkey mono titi, mono ardilla saimiri oerstedii size. The agouti is reddish brown to black with a white, yellow, or gray underside. Some mammals, like the tapir and jaguar, are extremely shy creatures, and it is a rare event to see one. Costa rica has one of the most diverse collections of mammals on the planet. With pittier 18571950 begins the golden period of costa rican natural history conejo 1972. Conservation efforts in costa rica history, projects. Kinkajous are one of costa rica s most often sighted nocturnal mammals, living throughout the country at elevations up to 7,200 feet. Costa rica mammals and other wildlife during focus on. From the raucous mantled howler monkeys and the charismatic whitenosed coatis to the elusive jaguar, the mammals of costa rica offers. Timm and others published the natural history of costa rican mammals find, read and cite all the. Endangered species of costa rica go visit costa rica.
Animal rights in costa rica have had a long history of similar problems and is gaining a lot of momentum and press in recent years. Early in the morning is a good time as nocturnal animals make their way to sleep and zones around water bear a better chance of being frequented by mammals. We managed to find a nice selection of more common species, but did not have the luck to encounter cats, anteaters, or tapirs. Best books birds of costa rica costa rica bird books.
From the raucous mantled howler monkeys and the charismatic whitenosed coatis to the elusive jaguar, the mammals of costa rica offers authoritative. Devries 1997, hardcover at the best online prices at ebay. This volume is a synthesis of existing knowledge about the flora and fauna of costa rica. Youll have an opportunity, during the travel portion of the course, to see some of them firsthand. Ecology and natural history of a neotropical rain forest univ. This book features illustrations that show not only the mammals themselves, but also their tracks, scats, dens, and. Marine mammals and predators in costa rica earthwatch. Other than bats, mammals have ecological roles that are unparalleled in temperate zones. Nasuella olivacea gray, 1865 western mountain coati colombia and ecuador the cozumel island coati was formerly recognized as a species, but the vast majority of recent authorities treat it as a subspecies, n. Youll also have an opportunity to become somewhat of an. Join researchers in the pristine wilds of costa rica to conduct critical research on marine mammals and predators.
Its size precludes it from being an easytotransport pocket guide, but its depth and breadth more than make up for this. Containing an incredible wealth of information, the natural history of costa rican mammals is an excellent reference for serious naturalists, tour guides, educators, and researchers who teach or work in the tropics. Synopsis this volume is a synthesis of existing knowledge about the flora and fauna of costa rica. Zona tropical, comstock publishing associates, cornell university press, ithaca, new york, and london, united kingdom, 454 pp. Of the mammal species in costa rica, one is critically endangered, four are endangered, six are vulnerable, and three are near threatened. Seven of these are endemic to costa rica and exist nowhere else in the world. Jul 06, 2018 9780970567819 the natural history of costa rican mammals.
Since they are arboreal, the best chance of sighting this small species is on a night tour, especially in monteverde, along the osa peninsula, and in other densely forested areas. Piotr wancerztimelapse media a britannica publishing partner see all videos for this article ticos, as the people of costa rica are called, use the phrase pura vida pure life in their everyday speech, as a greeting or to show appreciation for something. The wildlife of costa rica comprises all naturally occurring animals, fungi and plants that. Mark wainwright is a nature guide and instructor for tropical ecology courses in costa rica, and has written and illustrated costa rican field identification pamphlets and. A new species of reithrodontomys, subgenus aporodon cricetidae. Here are some details about the rich animal life in this part of central america. Even less directly, a role for central america as a center of origin for mammalian groups has been inferred for an earlier time, the paleocene. The lush ecosystems of costa rica are protected by a series of national parks and wildlife reserves. Day 1 march 21 travel to san jose, costa rica hotel bougainvillea youll need to make your own travel arrangements to get to and from costa rica which is. Of around 4800 mammal species worldwide, 200 can be found in costa rica.
The following tags are used to highlight each species conservation status as. Guides, checklists, keys, images, maps, references, and links for doing natural history with butterflies and plants in monteverde, costa rica. The natural history of costa rican mammals over 400 illustration of the mammals, their tracks, scats, dens, and anatomical details combined with identification keys, range maps, vocalization descriptions, sexual behavior, derivations of common and scientific names, evolutionary history, local folklore and mythology give a complete picture for. Costa rica mammals and some other wildlife noting those found during focus on nature tours 1991 thru 2015. Costa rica facts and figures natural history on the net. Adult coatis measure 33 to 69 cm to 27 in from head to the base of the tail, which can be as long as their bodies. Resources on costa rican natural history depauw university.
The varied microclimates, rich ecological systems and the natural wealth of the country make it the most conductive for a varied number of species. The butterflies of costa rica and their natural history. Nasuella meridensis thomas, 1901 eastern mountain coati. It is one of the few countries in america that retains the same number of mammal species today as it did when spanish colonizers arrived five hundred years ago. The wealth of information on one of the betterknown central american mammal faunas warrants calling. The best costa rica books to read before you go from the best travel resources to comprehensive field guides and engaging stories, these mustread costa rica books dive deep into the history, natural environment and wonder of this exotic destination. A distant relative of sloths, anteaters inhabit lowland and middleelevation habitats of the country. This is a list of the mammal species recorded in costa rica. The natural history of costa rican mammals, with a preface by. From the raucous mantled howler monkeys and the charismatic whitenosed coatis to the elusive jaguar, the mammals of costa rica offers authoritative accounts of the creatures of the neotropics. Condit, perez and daguerre trees of panama and costa rica princeton university press 2011. Neotominae, from the highlands of costa rica, with comments on costa rican and panamanian reithrodontomys. A natural history and field guide zona tropical publications by mark wainwright from the raucous mantled howler monkeys and the charismatic whitenosed coatis to the elusive jaguar, the mammals of costa rica offers authoritative accounts of the fascinating creatures of the neotropics. Join tracie the bug lady on the night tour for nocturnal mammal encounters.
In spanish, an anteater is called an oso hormiguero, which translates to anteating bear. Books to read before you travel to costa rica holbrook. A natural history and field guide zona tropical publications on. Costa rica is home to one of the rarest wild cat species, the jaguarondi. A guidebook to costa rica built from a natural history and conservation perspective. From the raucous mantled howler monkeys and the charismatic whitenosed coatis to the elusive jaguar, the mammals of costa rica offers authoritative accounts of the fascinating creatures of the neotropics. A natural history and field guide zona tropical publications first edition by mark wainwright, oscar arias isbn. The natural history of costa rican mammals, with a preface by oscar arias. The coati is also known in english as the hognosed coon. The tremendous amount of original, previously unpublished, firsthand information is remarkable.
Mammals are one of the hardest subjects to photograph in costa rica. Spotting mammals requires similar attention as spotting birds. Hopefully to the betterment of conditions for sloths and all other animal species in costa rica, wild or domesticated. Of the five sloth species occurring in costa rica, there are two main families of sloths. By presenting mammals in a broader context, the mammals of costa rica provides an entry point into a general study of tropical ecology and conservation. Costa rica has three species of anteater lesser, giant and silky, the most common of which is the lesser anteater tamandua tetradactyla, otherwise known as the collared anteater.