Fauna
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Forty species of bats and around 59 species of mammals have been reported for the Park, among which are the gray-bellied night monkey (Aotus lemurinus), white-fronted capuchin monkey (Cebus albifrons), sloth (Bradypus variegatus), armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus), red brocket deer (Mazama americana), jaguar (Panthera onca), ocelot (Leopardus pardalis), ant eater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla), as well as five species of marine mammals.

There are 396 species of birds including the little tinamou (Cripturellus soui), king vulture (Sarcoramphus papa), roadside hawk (Buteo magnirostris), yellow-headed caracara (Milvago chimachima) and pale-vented pigeon (Columba cayannensis).

Among the reptiles, there are four species of marine turtles (Caretta caretta, Chelonia mydas, Eretmochelys imbricata and Dermochelys coriacea) and boa constrictor. Recently, the presense of aguja caiman has been reported, making it one of the few populations in the Colombian Caribbean.

The diversity of marine species is also notable represented by mollusks, crustaceans, algae and coral reefs among others.

 

Yellow-headed caracara (Milvago chimachima)

he yellow-headed caracara, also caricare or chimachimá, is a species of Central and South America. Plumage between males and females is the same but the females are bigger and heavier. It inhabits areas with low vegetation such as cattle pastures, where they feed on the cattle’s ticks, and in cultivated fields. They feed on carrion, small vertebrate animals, arthropods, fruits and vegetables.

Illustration by Laura Pérez

Aguja Caiman (Crocodylus acutus)

They spend nights in the water and, in the morning, they sunbathe by the shores of bodies of water. They are dangerous, although few attacks have been registered. Adults care for their young, protecting and guarding the nest and transporting them to water. They are carnivorous predators. Adults hunt amphibians, birds, big crustaceans and mammals.

Illustration by José Mario Betancourt

Iguana (Iguana iguana)

The iguana is a large tree lizard from Central and South America though it is also native to Caribbean islands and Florida, USA. They can reach up to two meters in length from head to tail and up to 15 kilograms in weight. They lay eggs in nests excavated on the ground. Though appetizing, sale of their eggs, meat and skin is prohibited in various countries.

Illustration by Laura Pérez

Tortuga Carey (Eretmochelys imbricata)

It looks similar to other marine turtles but can be easily differentiated by their pointy curvy beaks with prominent upper jaws and by the saw-like borders of their shells. Though it spends part of its life in open sea, it is more often found in shallow lagoons and coral reefs, where it can find its favorite food, sea sponges, some of which are highly toxic. It also feeds on invertebrate animals, ctenophores and jellyfish.

Illustration by José Mario Betancourt

Howler Monkey (Alouatta seniculus)

This species is native to the north of South America. Females and males have dark red fur on head, shoulders, extremities and tail. They have a prehensile tail and their back legs are much shorter than the front ones. They live on top of trees in mature forests, where they eat fruit and leaves, frequently near rivers, lakes or swamps. The cacophony of their howling disturbs the quietness at dusk and dawn.

Illustration by José Mario Betancourt

Jaguar (Panthera onca)

It is an emblematic animal to almost all pre-Hispanic cultures from Central and South America. It is the largest feline in America and lives from Mexico to Argentina. The species has strength rather than speed, the males being larger than the females. It lives in the deep of the forest and it is common to find it near bodies of water where it can swim easily; much of their prey are water animals including fish. The species is endangered which is why it is protected under Colombian legislation and it is included in the lists of banned species.

Illustration by José Mario Betancourt