Mammals, Amphibians, and Reptiles of Costa Rica: A Field Guide

215 Pages·2010·17.37 MB·English

by  Carrol L. Henderson

Foreword by WINNIE HALLWACHS
NATURE: FIELD GUIDES, TRAVEL, COSTA RICA
At the biological crossroads of the Americas, Costa Rica hosts an astonishing array of Mammals,
plants and animals—over half a million species! Ecotourists, birders, and biologists come
from around the world to immerse themselves in the country’s unspoiled rainforests,
mountains, and beaches, drawn by the likelihood of seeing more than three or four hun-
dred species of birds and other animals during even a short stay. To help all of these A FIELD GUIDE Amphibians,
visitors, as well as local residents, identify and enjoy the wildlife of Costa Rica, Carrol
Henderson, a professional wildlife biologist and international birding tour leader, pub- RM
lished Field Guide to the Wildlife of Costa Rica in 2002, and it instantly became the indis- e
a and Reptiles
pensable guide. p
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Now Henderson has created a field guide dedicated to the monkeys, sloths, treefrogs, i
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lizards, crocodiles, and other animals that travelers are most likely to see while exploring e
the wild lands of Costa Rica. He includes fascinating information on their natural history, sa of Costa Rica
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ecology, identification, and behavior gleaned from his forty years of travels, studies, and os
wildlife viewing in Costa Rica, as well as details on where to see these remarkable and f ,
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beautiful creatures. The mammals, amphibians, and reptiles are illustrated by stunning
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and colorful photographs—most of which were taken in the wild by Henderson. Another
s
highlight of this volume is the detailed and invaluable appendix that identifies many of p
t A FIELD GUIDE
Costa Rica’s best wildlife-watching destinations, lodges, and contact information for trip- ah
i
planning purposes. Rb
Whether you are a general nature lover, a rainforest enthusiast, or an avid interna- ii
ca
tional birder, you will find that the mix of biology, travel tips, and photography in this an
guide will provide you with great information for planning a trip, or vivid memories if s
you have already traveled in Costa Rica. The book will leave you eager to return for more ,
a
adventures in this paradise for both wildlife and people.
n
d
CARROL L. HENDERSON has headed the Nongame Wildlife Program of the Minnesota
Department of Natural Resources for thirty-three years. He is an award-winning wildlife
conservationist who has helped bring back eastern bluebirds, bald eagles, peregrine fal-
cons, river otters, and trumpeter swans; an avid wildlife photographer whose images
have appeared in the New York Times, Audubon, Birder’s World, and Wild Bird; an expe-
rienced birding tour leader to Latin America, Kenya, Tanzania, and New Zealand; and the
author of many magazine articles and nine books, including Birds of Costa Rica: A Field
Guide and Oology and Ralph’s Talking Eggs. He lives in Blaine, Minnesota.
The Corrie Herring Hooks Series HENDERSON
University of Texas Press $29.95
CCAARRRROOLL LL.. HHEENNDDEERRSSOONN
www.utexaspress.com 800.252.3206
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INTRODUCTION  i
Mammals,
Amphibians, and Reptiles
of Costa Rica
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ii  MAMMALS. AMPHIBIANS, AND REPTILES OF COSTA RICA
NUMBER SIXTY-SIX, The Corrie Herring Hooks Series
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INTRODUCTION  iii
Foreword by WINNIE HALLWACHS
Mammals, Amphibians,
and Reptiles
of Costa Rica
A FIELD GUIDE
CARROL L. HENDERSON
with photographs by the author
Illustrations by STEVE ADAMS
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS PRESS, Austin
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iv mammals. amphibians, and reptiles of costa rica
The University of Texas Press wishes to acknowl- Copyright © 2002, 2010 by Carrol L. Henderson
edge the generous financial support by the follow- All rights reserved
ing foundations, individuals, and businesses that Printed in China
helped to underwrite the costs of producing this First edition, 2002
book: Field Guide to the Wildlife of Costa Rica, 2002
The Dellwood Wildlife Foundation of Dell- Birds of Costa Rica: A Field Guide, 2010
wood, Minnesota, in memory of wildlife conser- Butterflies, Moths, and Other Invertebrates of Costa
vationist and founder of the Dellwood Wildlife Rica: A Field Guide, 2010
Foundation, Ramon D. (Ray) Whitney. Ray Whit- Mammals, Amphibians, and Reptiles of Costa Rica:
ney was instrumental in helping restore trumpeter A Field Guide, 2010
swans to Minnesota, and he shared a love and
appreciation for the diversity and abundance of Requests for permission to reproduce material
wildlife in Costa Rica. from this work should be sent to
The Costa Rica–Minnesota Foundation of Permissions
St. Paul, Minnesota, in support of cultural and University of Texas Press
natural resource initiatives fostering greater P.O. Box 7819
understanding, educational programs, and habitat Austin, TX 78713–7819
protection for Costa Rica’s wildlife. www.utexas.edu/utpress
The late Honorary Consul to Costa Rica from ∞ The paper used in this book meets the mini-
Minnesota and former ceo of the H. B. Fuller mum requirements of ANSI/NISO Z39.48–1992
Company, Tony Andersen, who was a tireless pro- (R1997) (Permanence of Paper).
moter for cooperative projects of benefit to Costa
Rica’s culture and environment. Library of Congress
Karen Johnson, President of Preferred Adven- Cataloging-in-Publication Data
tures Ltd. of St. Paul, Minnesota, a business that Henderson, Carrol L.
specializes in ecotourism and natural history Mammals, amphibians, and reptiles of Costa
adventures for worldwide travelers. She has been Rica : a field guide / Carrol L. Henderson ;
especially active in promoting wildlife tourism in photographs by Carrol L. Henderson ; illustrations
Costa Rica and other countries of Latin America. by Steve Adams ; foreword by Winnie Hallwachs.
Michael Kaye, President of Costa Rica Expedi- p. cm. — (The Corrie Herring Hooks series ;
tions, San José, Costa Rica. Costa Rica Expedi- no. 66)
tions owns and manages Monteverde Lodge, Includes bibliographical references and index.
Tortuguero Lodge, and Corcovado Lodge Tent ISBN 978-0-292-72274-3 (pbk. : alk. paper)
Camp. This company has set high standards for 1. Mammals—Costa Rica—Guidebooks. 2.
protecting sensitive tropical habitats while accom- Amphibians—Costa Rica—Guidebooks. 3.
modating the needs of nature tourism and adven- Reptiles—Costa Rica—Guidebooks. 4. Costa
ture travelers in Costa Rica. Rica—Guidebooks. I. Title.
Dan Conaway, President of Elegant Adven- QL723.C8H46 2010
tures, Atlanta, Georgia. Elegant Adventures 599.097286—dc22
specializes in quality, customized tours to Latin 2010001033
American destinations, including Costa Rica. This
company has served international travelers since
its founding in 1986.
pg i: Red-eyed Tree Frog
pg ii: Young Three-toed Sloth
Facing pg: Backlit canal in Tortuguero National Park
INTRODUCTION  v
To my wife, Ethelle,
and son and daughter-in-law, Craig and Reem,
with whom I share my love of Costa Rica,
and grandson Mazen Nathaniel,
and to
Drs. George Knaphus, James H. Jenkins, and Daniel H. Janzen,
my mentors.
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THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK
INTRODUCTION  vii
CONTENTS
Foreword by Winnie Hallwachs ix MAMMALS SPECIES ACCOUNTS 29
Preface xi Opossum Family (Didelphidae) 31
Acknowledgments xiii Sheath-tailed Bat Family
(Emballonuridae) 34
INTRODUCTION 1 Leaf-nosed Bat Family
Historical Perspective 2 (Phyllostomidae) 37
Research 2 New World Monkey Family
Education 3 (Cebidae) 42
Preservation 3 Anteater Family
Conservation 6 (Myrmecophagidae) 48
Nature Tourism 6 Sloth Family (Bradypodidae) 51
Geography 8 Armadillo Family (Dasypodidae) 55
Biogeography 10 Squirrel Family (Sciuridae) 56
Endemic Species 11 Porcupine Family (Erethizontidae) 59
Endemic Wildlife of the Paca Family (Cuniculidae) 60
Highlands 11 Agouti Family (Dasyproctidae) 61
Endemic Species of the Southern Dog Family (Canidae) 62
Pacific Lowlands 12 Weasel Family (Mustelidae) 64
Endemic Species of Cocos Raccoon Family (Procyonidae) 66
Island 13 Cat Family (Felidae) 71
Major Biological Zones 13 Peccary Family (Tayassuidae) 78
Tropical Dry Forest 14 Deer Family (Cervidae) 81
Southern Pacific Lowlands 15 Tapir Family (Tapiridae) 83
Central Plateau (Central Baleen Whale Family
Valley) 16 (Balaenopteridae) 84
Caribbean Lowlands 17
Highlands 18 AMPHIBIANS SPECIES ACCOUNTS 87
Coastal Beaches, Islands, and Toad Family (Bufonidae) 89
Mangrove Lagoons 22 Glass Frog Family (Centrolenidae) 92
Wildlife Overview and Species Craugastorid Frog Family
Coverage 23 (Craugastoridae) 94
Series Coverage 24 Poison Dart Frog Family
Species Accounts 25 (Dendrobatidae) 98
Photography 26 Tree Frog Family (Hylidae) 102
Leopard Frog Family (Ranidae) 113
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viii  MAMMALS. AMPHIBIANS, AND REPTILES OF COSTA RICA
REPTILES SPECIES ACCOUNTS 115 APPENDICES
Iguana Family (Iguanidae) 116 Appendix A. Costa Rican Conservation
Anole Family (Polychrotidae) 122 Organizations, Research Stations,
Spiny Lizard Family Birding Groups, and Bird
(Phrynosomatidae) 133 Information Sources 177
Whiptail Family (Teiidae) 134 Appendix B. Wildlife Tourism Sites and
Gecko Family (Gekkonidae) 136 Field Stations of Costa Rica 178
Skink Family (Scincidae) 140 Appendix C. Costa Rican Trip
Dwarf Boa Family (Loxocemidae) 141 Preparation Checklist 189
Constrictor Family (Boidae) 142 Appendix D. Travel Tips for a
Colubrid Snake Family Successful Wildlife Viewing Trip
(Colubridae) 143 in Costa Rica 190
Coral Snake Family (Elapidae) 149
Viper Family (Viperidae) 150 About the Author 191
Mud Turtle Family Index 193
(Kinosternidae) 155
Hard-shelled Sea Turtle Family
(Cheloniidae) 156
Leatherback Turtle Family
(Dermochelyidae) 160
Semiaquatic Pond Turtle Family
(Emydidae) 162
Crocodile Family (Crocodylidae) 164
Glossary 167
Bibliography 171
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INTRODUCTION  ix
FOREWORD
The joy of living in a house in a Costa
Rican dry forest conservation area is that
anything might happen, anytime. The
actors are mammals, reptiles, frogs, and
insects that make use of the open house
and hunt or shelter inside. Spectacular
though they are, the birds stay out—except
for their sounds—and the stage is left
to other vertebrates. Much of the action
happens toward dark or in the night. As
the afternoon dims and the dusk cicadas
sing, the Sac-Wing Saccopteryx bats leave
the back wall and fly sweeping patrols
back and forth, imperceptibly feeding on
insects. The long-tongued, nectar-feeding
Glossophaga bats stay indoors much
later, but they are the aerial stars. Dur-
ing courtship, they fly around the rooms
like breakneck stunt pilots, through all
available three-dimensional space, up
over walls and swooping down under the
desk, across my lap and around again. In Dr. Winnie Hallwachs
the still of the night the footfalls of the
Virginia Opossum or the soft Caluromys
quietly cross the metal roof. A Liomys chattering audibly into the morning. Just
mouse, the ancestor of the kangaroo rats outside, a vine moves strangely, rising, and
in the desert of the United States, loads its comes into focus as one of the vine snakes,
cheek pouches to near bursting from a bag an Oxybelis or the big-headed Imantodes
of rice, ferries it to store temporarily in or the bright parrot snake Leptophis mexi-
a shoe or all the way into its burrow, and canus. Don’t leave to get a camera— look
returns almost insatiably for more. away and it will become invisible again.
In the daylight, the large Trachycepha- Lizards appear, from the small red-headed
lus (Phrynohyas) tree frogs hide in pots or Gonatodes and taut metallic skink Mabuya
back into drains with rubbery contortions. on the shady walls to the large iguanalike
The Sac-wing Bats have returned and are ctenosaur males in the sunlit road and
stretching and nursing and arguing and tree canopies.
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