Although highly endangered, the blue-sided of corre tree frog can still be found in and around metropolitan San Jose. Despite the high levels of pollution found in streams, gardens of and coffee plantations, it is thought that the frog has managed to use these inhospitable conditions to evade the widespread chytrid fungus which kills them by growing in their skin.
This fungus is believed to be largely responsible for declines in amphibian populations dating back to the 1970s. Its spread has been linked by scientists to climate change and rising tropical temperatures.
Found in vegetation overhanging rivers and streams in mountain cloud forests, glass frogs are so named for the translucent skin on their insides. Frogs and toads are found worldwide and are adapted to a variety of different habitats including aquatic environments, trees and undergrounf burrows. However, being cold-blooded and having highly permeable skin are factors that make them extremely sensitive to environmental change and vulnerable to pollutants in the air and water. The collapse in many amphibian populations has been setting off alarm bells warning of a more widespread decline in global biodiversity.
Animals that rely on camouflage try to remain as low-key as possible, whilist others such as the poison dart frog try their hardest to stand out. This is a defense strategy known as ‘aposematism’ and describes animals that advertise their toxicity with bold colors. The tiny yet flamboyant poison dart frog produces a potent neurotoxin called batrachotoxin, which it absorbs through its skin glands to give a nasty shock to potential predators. Some species in the Phyllobates genus of frogs are especially poisonous: one good lick of Phyllobates terribilis, or the golden poison frog, would be enough to kill you. For this reason they are also the main source of poison hunting darts used by the Choco Embera people of Colombian’s rainforest, and hence, their name.
The bright markings along the sides and limbs of the red-eyed tree grog are also anti predation tools, except in this case they are kept well hidden. When attacked, the red eyed tree frog exposes its colors as it leaps away using a technique known as ‘flash and dazzle’. Because many birds and small mammals rely primarily on their vision, the appearance of these flash colors leaves a ghost image in the visual field where the frog was originally, disorienting the attacker and allowing for a window of escape.
Places where you can enjoy frog watching:
Monteverde
The Ranario is a gem, a collection of frogs and toads in large terrariums.
Here you can see:
- Hourglass frog
- Glass frog
- Smoky jungle frog
- Cane toad
- Litter toad
- Blue jeans poison dart frog
- Red and green poison dart frog
- Gaudy leaf frog: is a fashion statement, with coral fingers and toes, blue legs, yellow and green stripes on the side.
Corcovado National Park
The fabled reputation of this vast tract of tropical rain forest is not without justification.
The quickest and easiest way to get into Corcovado National Park is to fly in a single-engine charter plane and land at the Sirena ranger station airstrip. Flights to Sirena can be arranged with any of several companies at the Pavas airport (west of San José ) or at the airport in Golfito.
Because of the high heat and humidity and more than four meters of average annual rainfall, this area is considered a rain forest. The driest months of the year are February, March, and April, the wettest are September and October.
Its 41,788 hectares encompass eight habitats, from mangrove swamp and jolillo palm grove to montane forest. The park protects more than 400 species of birds (20 are endemic), , 139 of mammals, 116 of amphibians and reptiles 10,000 insect species may inhabit and researchers have identified 42 species of frogs.
All six species of felines found in Costa Rica are known to exist in this wilderness area, as are the four native species of monkeys. Additionally, Corcovado supports the country's largest populations of White-lipped Peccaries and Scarlet Macaws.
For you frog watchers: Corcovado is a good place to spot the red-eyed tree frog (listen for his single-note mating “cluck”), the glass frog with its transparent skin, and enamel-bright poison-arrow frogs.
Reptilandia Park
Located 7 km from Dominical up the paved highway to San Isidro del General, just before the village of Platanillo .
Parque Reptilandia is comprised of 55 terrarium style enclosures and ponds on a little over an acre of land. A wide, flat path through the Park makes it wheelchair accessible and a comfortable walk for young and old alike. The central viewing area is undercover and features glass-fronted terrariums arranged with rock, perches and local flora that provide a natural environment for the animals and a rich viewing experience for our guests.
Visit the South Pacific Zone's only reptile and amphibian park. Observe these magnificent animals in lush, natural settings. Learn to identify venomous and non-venomous snakes, marvel at poison dart frogs, delight in rainforest lizards and tortoises and be impressed by prehistoric looking crocodilians all in secure enclosures.
Santa Rosa National Park
Santa Rosa is important for its history, geology, and ecology.
The country's first national park, founded in 1972. The 49,515-hectare park covers much of the Santa Elena peninsula.
The park is divided into two sections: the Santa Rosa Sector to the south and the Murciélago Sector , separated by a swathe of privately owned land.
Hot throughout the year, the chance of rain is almost nil from December to April. The rainy season which lasts from May until November is normally punctuated by a several-week dry period in July and August.
Parque Nacional Santa Rosa is most famous for Hacienda Santa Rosa better known as La Casona- the nation's most cherished historic monument. It was here in 1856 that the mercenary army of American adventurer William Walker was defeated by a ragamuffin army of Costa Rican volunteers. The old hacienda-turned-museum alone is well worth the visit. Santa Rosa National Park has other treasures, too.
The park is a mosaic of 10 distinct habitats, including mangrove swamp, savanna, and oak forest, which attract a wide range of animals: White-tailed Deer, Long-tongued Bats, White-throated Capuchin Monkeys, White-throated Magpie-Jays, Orange-fronted Parakeets, Roadside Hawks, howler, spider, and anteaters. Jaguars still roam Santa Rosa , as do margays, ocelots, pumas, and jaguarundis; they're all shy and seldom seen. Santa Rosa is a vitally important nesting site for ridleys and other turtle species.
The vegetation in most parts of the park is characterized by being deciduous and many plant species remain leafless for much of the dry season as a means of conserving precious moisture. Another common feature of the dry forest vegetation is the high percentage of plants that have thorns or spines.
Santa Rosa protects two important sea turtle nesting beaches, Naranjo and Nancite.
The deserted white-sand Playa Nancite is renowned as the site for the annual arribadas, the mass nestings of olive ridley turtles which occur only here and at Ostional, farther south. Latest data suggests that the turtle population at Nancite is declining.
Playa Naranjo is a popular, beautiful, kilometers-long, pale gray sand beach that is legendary in surfing lore. The beach is bounded by craggy headlands and frequently visited by monkeys, iguanas, and other wildlife. Crocodiles lurk in the mangrove swamps at the southern end of the beach.
Rincón de la Vieja National Park
The name Rincón de la Vieja means "the old lady's nook" and is attributed to indigenous people of the Guatuso tribe living on the eastern side of the volcano who believed that an old witch lived on top of the mountain and would send columns of smoke into the air whenever she got annoyed.
The Rincón de la Vieja National Park, protects 14,083-hectare, which extends from 650 to 1,965 meters in elevation on both the Caribbean and Pacific flanks of the cordillera.
The Pacific side has a distinct dry season, contrary the Caribbean side is lush and wet year-round. The park is known for its profusion of orchid species.
Its fauna includes: more than 300 species of birds: quetzals, toucanets, the elegant trogon, eagles, three-wattled bellbirds, and the curassow. Mammals include cougars, howler, spider, and white-faced monkeys, kinkajous, sloths, tapirs, tayras, and even jaguars.
About the volcano…
Rincón de la Vieja (1,895 meters), an active volcano in a period of relative calm, is the largest of five volcanoes that make up the Cordillera de Guanacaste. Since 1863, there have been at least eight episodes of intense volcanic activity, the latest one in 1991.
Tortuguero National Park
The creation of this park in 1970 gave much needed protection to one of the region's most important and unique natural resources.
This coastal region receives four to five meters of rain per year (sometimes more), so expect very warm and humid conditions.
Tortuguero National Park protects 18,946 ha. of forested habit and an extensive network of freshwater creeks and lagoons.The park protects the nesting beach of the green turtle, the offshore waters to a distance of 30 km, and the wetland forests extending inland for about 15 kilometers.
Tortuguero shelters a fabulous array of wildlife, including more than 300 bird species, among them the great green macaw; 57 species of amphibians and 111 of reptiles, including three species of marine turtles; 60 mammal species, including jaguars, tapirs, ocelots, cougars, river otters, and manatees. Commonly seen birds include toucans, aricaris, oropendolas, swallow-tailed hawks, several species of herons, kingfishers, anhingas, parrots, and jacanas.
Accessible only by boat or plane. The 30-minute flight from San José can be arranged with any of the private charter companies, or on the regularly scheduled Travel Air service.
Carara Biological Reserve
Carara Biological Reserve occupies a unique position at the transition zone between tropical moist forest and tropical wet forest in the Pacific lowlands. Hot and humid, even during most of the dry season which lasts from January through April.
The forest is home to many somber-hued bird species that often travel together in mixed flocks that are a true delight to birdwatchers. Carara's main attraction for most visitors is its wildlife, and star billing goes to the Scarlet Macaw.
It also maintains populations of Margay, Ocelot, and Jaguarundi. Collared Peccaries, Central American Agoutis, Banded Anteaters, and White-nosed Coatis.
Reptiles and amphibians are well-represented in Carara, though most species are either cryptic or nocturnal and therefore not readily seen. Of the frogs, one species that is fairly common and active during the day is the Harlequin Poison-dart Frog, a handsome creature that is charcoal black with fluorescent green markings.
Selva Biological Station
La Selva Biological Station near Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí offers a unique opportunity to experience and learn about tropical ecosystems at one of the top two biological research stations in the Neotropics. La Selva is owned by the Organization for Tropical Studies.
La Selva is home to 120 species of mammals, including howler, spider and white-faced monkeys, agoutis, jaguars, tapirs and 60 species of bat. There are some 2,000 species of vascular plants in this tropical rain forest, 420 bird species and 500 species of butterflies.
Fincas Naturales Wildlife Refuge
It is a 30 acre private refuge and nature exhibits with 1500 meters ( 4500 feet ) of trails, designed for all ages, conveniently located between Quepos and Manuel Antonio. Fincas Naturales is currently researching and developing nature exhibits to help reproduce local species in danger of extinction.
Amphibian Aquatic Garden
The Amphibian Aquatic Garden is a series of waterways and pools ecologically design to provide the different frog species with a place where to reproduce. Here you will see and learn about up to 15 different species of frogs in their 3 stages of metamorphosis. At night their call provides you with a 5 stars live concert that deserves to be listen.
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