Animals that have been rehabilitated at the KSTR Wildlife Rescue:
White faced monkeys at KSTR Rescue Center
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Titi monkey at KSTR Rescue Center, photo courtesy of L. Argueda
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Armadillo,
photo: L. Arguedas
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White-faced Capuchin Monkey
They grow to just 6 pounds, but the few pounds they accumulate are full of attitude and character. Social by nature, these animals love to greet new members of the family, grooming and sniffing each infant that enters the clan. The males often engage in mock battles, swinging through the trees with high-pitched howls. Having seen these monkeys up close, I can truly say that they are the acrobats of the jungle.
They grow to just 6 pounds, but the few pounds they accumulate are full of attitude and character. Social by nature, these animals love to greet new members of the family, grooming and sniffing each infant that enters the clan. The males often engage in mock battles, swinging through the trees with high-pitched howls. Having seen these monkeys up close, I can truly say that they are the acrobats of the jungle.
Red-backed Squirrel Monkey (Titi monkey)
An endangered species of red-backed squirrel monkey, Saimiri Oerstedii Citrinellus, also referred to as Mono Titi, is found within Manuel Antonio National Park. Habitat loss, traffic on busy highways and electrocution from power lines are all threats to this precious primate.
An endangered species of red-backed squirrel monkey, Saimiri Oerstedii Citrinellus, also referred to as Mono Titi, is found within Manuel Antonio National Park. Habitat loss, traffic on busy highways and electrocution from power lines are all threats to this precious primate.
Nine-Banded Armadillo
Armadillos range from the southern United States to most of South America, but there is an endangered version called the eleven-banded armadillo that is rarely spotted in the rainforests. This little armored animal is protected from predators with its hard exterior. While it is safe from predators, the armadillo spends its time searching for food. Its favorite “dish” consists of insects, eggs, frogs, small reptiles, and fruits.
Armadillos range from the southern United States to most of South America, but there is an endangered version called the eleven-banded armadillo that is rarely spotted in the rainforests. This little armored animal is protected from predators with its hard exterior. While it is safe from predators, the armadillo spends its time searching for food. Its favorite “dish” consists of insects, eggs, frogs, small reptiles, and fruits.
Three-toed Sloth & Two-toed Sloth
In Manuel Antonio you will find an animal with 2 toes, but sometimes 3. The two-toed and three-toed sloths are a sight to see. These slow moving animals move at a top speed of 1 mile in 4 hours. Sloths can hold food in their stomachs for a week, so it’s no surprise that they only “use the facilities” once a week. This weekly ritual brings them down to the ground and away from their natural habitat (trees). After digging a hole, it’s back up to the trees again. A sloth can live for 20 years and most females above the age of 3 are pregnant once a year, every year. When the two-toed sloth is in threatened by another animal it will defend itself by slashing with its fore claws and biting.
In Manuel Antonio you will find an animal with 2 toes, but sometimes 3. The two-toed and three-toed sloths are a sight to see. These slow moving animals move at a top speed of 1 mile in 4 hours. Sloths can hold food in their stomachs for a week, so it’s no surprise that they only “use the facilities” once a week. This weekly ritual brings them down to the ground and away from their natural habitat (trees). After digging a hole, it’s back up to the trees again. A sloth can live for 20 years and most females above the age of 3 are pregnant once a year, every year. When the two-toed sloth is in threatened by another animal it will defend itself by slashing with its fore claws and biting.
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Kinkajou
Variegated Squirrel
Agouti Paca
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Ocelo
Prehensile-tailed Porcupine
Red-tailed Squirrel
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Opossum
White-tailed Deer
Jaguarundi
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Other Animals of the Rainforest:
Howler monkey, photo: M. I. Di Mare
Howler Monkey
The howler monkey and howler howler monkey (Alouatta palliata) is the largest primate species in Central America. Their head and body length ranges from 38 to 58 cm, their tails range between 52 and 67 cm, and their weight ranges from 3.2 to the 7.6 kg. They are mainly black with a long coat and yellow on the sides, their tail is long and bare prehensile with a pad at the bottom, near the tip. Flowers and leaves occupy 63.3% of their diet and fruits by 36.7%. They are diurnal animals, are sedentary and have little social activity. In Costa Rica these monkey's are found from sea level to 1,600 m.
The howler monkey and howler howler monkey (Alouatta palliata) is the largest primate species in Central America. Their head and body length ranges from 38 to 58 cm, their tails range between 52 and 67 cm, and their weight ranges from 3.2 to the 7.6 kg. They are mainly black with a long coat and yellow on the sides, their tail is long and bare prehensile with a pad at the bottom, near the tip. Flowers and leaves occupy 63.3% of their diet and fruits by 36.7%. They are diurnal animals, are sedentary and have little social activity. In Costa Rica these monkey's are found from sea level to 1,600 m.
Boa Constrictor
This giant snake sits near the top of the food chain, the Boa Constrictor reaches up to 18 feet in length when full grown. Its prey consists of lizards, opossums, young porcupines, and tanagers. It uses it's powerful jaws and fangs to strangle its prey and then swallows it head first.
This giant snake sits near the top of the food chain, the Boa Constrictor reaches up to 18 feet in length when full grown. Its prey consists of lizards, opossums, young porcupines, and tanagers. It uses it's powerful jaws and fangs to strangle its prey and then swallows it head first.
Fer-de-lance
The Fer-de-lance is one of the most lethal and aggressive snakes found in Manuel Antonio. Though few people have ever encountered one, there are some lurking in the jungles, rivers, and overgrown fields. Not only is this snake venomous, it also has the advantage of blending in with its natural environment. With its brown, black, and white “X” pattern, it is difficult to spot amongst the twigs and leaves. When approached, this aggressive snake will spring forth and bite rather than retreat.
The Fer-de-lance is one of the most lethal and aggressive snakes found in Manuel Antonio. Though few people have ever encountered one, there are some lurking in the jungles, rivers, and overgrown fields. Not only is this snake venomous, it also has the advantage of blending in with its natural environment. With its brown, black, and white “X” pattern, it is difficult to spot amongst the twigs and leaves. When approached, this aggressive snake will spring forth and bite rather than retreat.
Green Iguana
The green iguana has been placed on the endangered species list, due to deforestation in most of Costa Rica. Unfortunately, this endangered species is also considered a tasty “tree chicken” by many Central Americans. Iguanas spend much of their time in trees, munching on leaves so that they may grow big and strong. Some iguanas reach one meter in length.
The green iguana has been placed on the endangered species list, due to deforestation in most of Costa Rica. Unfortunately, this endangered species is also considered a tasty “tree chicken” by many Central Americans. Iguanas spend much of their time in trees, munching on leaves so that they may grow big and strong. Some iguanas reach one meter in length.
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Jaguar
Tamandua (Lesser, Banded or Collared Anteater)
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Tayra
White-nosed Coati
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Baird’s Tapir
White-lipped and Collared Pecary
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Animals at the KSTR sanctuary from other rainforests of the world:
Marmoset
Tamarin
DON'T FEED THE MONKEY'S
You might find feeding the monkeys (and other wild animals) to be a thrilling experience, but you are not doing the monkeys a favor. In fact, you are actually harming them.
11 Reasons Not to Feed the Monkeys:
- Monkeys are highly susceptible to diseases from human hands, they can die from bacteria transferred off your hand that has no ill effect on you.
- Migration to human-populated areas to be fed increases the risk of dog attacks and road accidents.
- Irregular feeding leads to an aggressive behavior towards humans and other species.
- Contrary to the stereotype, bananas are not the preferred food of monkeys in the wild. Bananas, especially those containing pesticides, can be upsetting to the monkeys' delicate digestive system and cause serious dental problems that can lead to eventual death.
- Feeding creates a dangerous dependency on humans that diminishes the monkeys’ survival abilities.
- Feeding interferes with the monkeys’ natural habits and upsets the balance of their lifestyle centered on eating wild fruits, seeds, small animals, and insects.
- Contact with humans facilitates poaching and the trade in illegal wildlife.
- Pregnant females who are fed nothing but bananas during their pregnancy will not give birth to healthy infants. The babies will be malnourished, or never develop to term, and die before birth.
- Monkeys need to travel an average of 17 kilometers each day to be in good physical condition. If they know that food is available in a particular location, they will not leave that area.
- Not only do we pass on diseases to animals when we feed them by hand, but they can pass diseases to us as well.
- The Law of the Wildlife states that it is prohibited to feed wild animals, the only exception being a dire emergency where a species would perish without food.
The monkeys do not realize any of this. Now YOU do. Don't facilitate the extinction of one of nature’s most amazing creatures for your own pleasure or financial gain. Please help save the monkeys by reporting anyone feeding the monkeys: 506-4070-0340. If you are feeding the monkeys, you now know why you should stop. If you don’t stop we owe it to the monkeys to publish your name with the local media.
This was taken from our blog. You can read it by clicking here.
This was taken from our blog. You can read it by clicking here.
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