Sandwiched between North and South America and two oceans, Costa Rica is an amazing bridge of biodiversity bursting with natural wonders. For such a small country, it is home to more than 500,000 species; 250 of which are mammals.

1. 5 Strange and exotic
animals you don’t want
to miss in Costa Rica
Real Eco Lodge in Costa Rica: Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge

2. Central American agouti
• Aa large rodent, kind of like a hamster on steroids, which feeds
mainly on fruits and seeds. You can see them roaming the forest
foraging during the day.

3. Tayra
The tayra (Eira barbara), also known as
the tolomuco or perico ligero in Central
America, irara in Brazil, san hol or viejo
de monte in the Yucatan Peninsula, and
high-woods dog (or historically chien bois)
in Trinidad, [is an omnivorous animal from
the weasel family Mustelidae. It is the
only species in the genus Eira. There are
at least nine subspecies.

4. White-nosed coati
• The white-nosed coati , also known
as coatimundi is a species of coati
and a member of the family
Procyonidae. Local names include
pizote, antoon, and tejón. The
last, which mainly is used in
Mexico, means badger. It weighs
about 4–6 kg (8.8–13.2 lb).
However, males are much larger
than females, and small females
weigh as little as 2.5 kg (5.5 lb) and
large males as much as 12.2 kg (27
lb).On average, the total length is
about 110 cm (43 in), about half of
that being the tail length.

5. Sloths
• Sloths are known for being incredibly
slow; sloths sleep 16 to 18 hours a day
and live high in the tree canopy, coming
down only once a week or so to relieve
body waste. Although slow in the trees
and walking, they are actually strong
swimmers. They eat mostly buds, tender
shoots and leaves, mainly of Cecropia
trees.

6. Northern tamandua
• The Northern Tamandua is a mediumsized anteater with a prehensile tail
that can latch onto tree trunks and
branches. Its fur is pale yellow over
most of the body, with a distinctive
“vest” of black fur. Living mostly in
the trees, its tongue is long and
covered in sticky saliva able to pick up
ants and termites – these animals
might eat up to 9,000 insects in one
day. Northern Tamanduas are mainly
nocturnal.

7. • See these animals and much more at Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge on their
165-acre private reserve bordering the Piedras Blancas National Park at Golfo
Dulce. The eco-lodge is a great place for travelers interested in
ecotourism, nature and adventure. For the best wildlife viewing, go on a
guided hike on the lodge’s trails in the early morning or just before sunset.
• Contact Us: US Toll-Free: 1-866-504-8116
• Costa Rica Sales Office: +506-2258-8250 or +506-2222-0704
• reservations@nicuesalodge.com | wwww.nicuesalodge.com