To help visitors, as well as local residents, identify and enjoy the wildlife of Costa Rica, Carrol L. Henderson published Field Guide to the Wildlife of Costa Rica in 2002, and it instantly became the indispensable guide. Now Henderson has created a field guide dedicated to the monkeys, sloths, treefrogs, lizards, crocodiles, and other animals that travelers are most likely to see while exploring the wild lands of Costa Rica. He includes fascinating information on their natural history, ecology, identification and behavior gleaned from his forty years of travels, studies and wildlife viewing in Costa Rica, as well as details on where to see these remarkable and beautiful creatures.
The mammals, amphibians and reptiles are illustrated by stunning and colourful photographs - most of which were taken in the wild by Henderson. A detailed and invaluable appendix that identifies many of Costa Rica's best wildlife-watching destinations, lodges and contact information for trip-planning purposes completes the volume.
Foreword by Winnie Hallwachs
Preface
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Historical Perspective
Research
Education
Preservation
Conservation
Nature Tourism
Geography
Biogeography
Endemic Species
Endemic Wildlife of the Highlands
Endemic Species of the Southern Pacific Lowlands
Endemic Species of Cocos Island
Major Biological Zones
Tropical Dry Forest
Southern Pacific Lowlands
Central Plateau (Central Valley)
Caribbean Lowlands
Highlands
Coastal Beaches, Islands, and Mangrove Lagoons
Wildlife Overview and Species Coverage
Mammals Species Accounts
Opossum Family (Didelphidae)
Sheath-tailed Bat Family (Emballonuridae)
Leaf-nosed Bat Family (Phyllostomidae)
New World Monkey Family (Cebidae)
Anteater Family (Myrmecophagidae)
Sloth Family (Bradypodidae)
Armadillo Family (Dasypodidae)
Squirrel Family (Sciuridae)
Porcupine Family (Erethizontidae)
Paca Family (Cuniculidae)
Agouti Family (Dasyproctidae)
Dog Family (Canidae)
Weasel Family (Mustelidae)
Raccoon Family (Procyonidae)
Cat Family (Felidae)
Peccary Family (Tayassuidae)
Deer Family (Cervidae)
Tapir Family (Tapiridae)
Baleen Whale Family (Balaenopteridae)
Amphibians Species Accounts
Toad Family (Bufonidae)
Glass Frog Family (Centrolenidae)
Craugastorid Frog Family (Craugastoridae)
Poison Dart Frog Family (Dendrobatidae)
Tree Frog Family (Hylidae)
Leopard Frog Family (Ranidae)
Reptiles Species Accounts
Iguana Family (Iguanidae)
Anole Family (Polychrotidae)
Spiny Lizard Family (Phrynosomatidae)
Whiptail Family (Teiidae)
Gecko Family (Gekkonidae)
Skink Family (Scincidae)
Dwarf Boa Family (Loxocemidae)
Constrictor Family (Boidae)
Colubrid Snake Family (Colubridae)
Coral Snake Family (Elapidae)
Viper Family (Viperidae)
Mud Turtle Family (Kinosternidae)
Hard-shelled Sea Turtle Family (Cheloniidae)
Leatherback Turtle Family (Dermochelyidae)
Semiaquatic Pond Turtle Family (Emydidae)
Crocodile Family (Crocodylidae)
Glossary
Bibliography
Appendix A. Costa Rica Conservation Organizations, Research Stations, Birding Groups, and Bird Information Sources
Appendix B. Wildlife Tourism Sites and Field Stations Of Costa Rica
Appendix C. Costa Rica Trip Preparation Checklist
Appendix D. Travel Tips for a Successful Wildlife Viewing Trip in Costa Rica
About the Author
Index
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, an avid wildlife photographer, an experienced birding tour leader, and the author of many magazine articles and nine books.