🔍 Central American Ameiva | Ameiva ameiva 🦎 📍 Seen in Alajuela, Costa Rica 🇨🇷 💬 Ameivas are heliothermic, meaning they must bask in the sun to power up. You’ll often see them freezing mid-path, then exploding into motion once they’re warm. Also Known as:…
🔍 Domestic Cattle | Bos taurus 🐮 📍 Seen in Alajuela, Costa Rica 🇨🇷 💬 Studies show cows form strong social bonds. Their heart rate drops when they´re with a preferred companion and they get stressed when separated. Also Known as: Cow, Cattle, Domestic Cow…
🔍 Indian Peafowl | Pavo cristatus 🦚 📍 Seen in Alajuela, Costa Rica 🇨🇷 💬 The unmistakable iridescent blue male spreads out its ornamental upper tail feathers when courting females. Females have a shorter tail, and iridescent green neck, and browner plumage. Also Known as:…
🔍 Black Paper Wasp | Polybia ignobilis 🐝 📍 Seen in Alajuela, Costa Rica 🇨🇷 💬 The difference between this wasp and the Ecuadorian Paper Wasp is its color. Ecuadorian is uniformly dark, meanwhile Black Paper Wasp may have faint to visible yellow rings or…
🔍 Variegated Squirrel | Sciurus variegatoides 🐿️ 📍 Seen in Puntarenas, Costa Rica 🇨🇷 💬 This squirrel is famous for its sharp, almost bird-like alarm calls. If you hear rapid “chirr-chirr-chirr” sounds in the trees, chances are it’s this little drama king warning everyone about…
🔍 Farm with Cows at Rancho Redondo Viewpoint 🐮 📍 Seen in Goicoechea, San José, Costa Rica 🇨🇷 💬 Beautiful view of this group of cows from the Rancho Redondo viewpoint. Photo Location: Goicoechea, San José, Costa Rica Year of Foundation: 1905 Area Total: KM2:…
🔍 Great-Tailed Grackle | Quiscalus mexicanus 🐦⬛ 📍 Seen in Alajuela, Costa Rica 🇨🇷 💬 In Mesoamerican cultures, grackles (zanates) were considered messengers or tricksters — symbols of cleverness and adaptability. In some regions, their song is said to announce rain or visitors. Also Known…
🔍 Ecuadorian Paper Wasp | Polybia aequatorialis 🐝 📍 Seen in Alajuela, Costa Rica 🇨🇷 💬 Also known as This particular insect belongs to the group of paper wasps, because it builds its nest out of a papery material made from chewed plant fibers. Also…
🔍 Eastern Meadow Vole | Microtus pennsylvanicus 🐀 📍 Seen in Alajuela, Costa Rica 🇨🇷 💬 These small rodents are often mistaken for mice, but they have shorter tails, rounder bodies, and smaller ears. Also Known as: Field vole / mouse, meadow vole / mouse,…
🔍 Spongy Moth | Lymantria dispar dispar 🐛 📍 Seen in Alajuela, Costa Rica 🇨🇷 💬 The spongy moth is an invasive insect from Europe that was accidentally introduced in North America in the 1860s during an attempt to rear an alternative silk-producing insect. Also…
🔍 Emerald Swift | Sceloporus malachiticus 🦎 📍 Seen in Alajuela, Costa Rica 🇨🇷 💬 Emerald swifts are distinctly bright green in color, with males typically being more striking than females, having bright blue patches on either side of the belly. Also Known as: Green…
🔍 Montezuma Oropendola | Psarocolius montezuma 🦅 📍 Seen in Grecia, Alajuela, Costa Rica 🇨🇷 💬 According to Cornell University, this beautiful bird can be seen at forest edges, open woodlands, farmland, and semi-open wooded areas. Sightings have been reported throughout eastern Mexico and throughout…
