Fauna and Flora
Bocas Del Toro has lush jungles and rain forest settings. In the Island’s tropical forest, over 300 species of vascular plants have been recorded, with a predominance of Crab wood, Guaruba, Oak, and Yellow tree. In areas with poor light within jungle canopy the lowest layer, there are epiphytes and ferns. In disturbed and recovering forest, the following trees are common: Cotonron, Cerillo, Wild Plum, and the Fig Higueron.
On the beaches, there are 4 species of marine turtles, endangered worldwide, that come to nest. They include the Pacific Green, the Loggerhead and the Hawksbill. In the mangrove zones, where the red mangrove and white mangrove predominate, it is common to see yellow warbler, yellow warbler manglera and American redstart. Of the 28 species of reptiles and amphibians found over the forests, mangrove areas, and coral reefs protected by Bastimentos Island Marine National Park, over half (17 species) are threatened or endangered. Various birds can often be seen flying over the sea. Apart from the magnificent flight of the huge frigate birds, which have a wing span of over a meter and allow the airstream to carry them above the clouds, there are laughing gulls and spotted sandpipers. Most of the 68 species of birds recorded in the protected areas are live in the Park’s forest, including the spectacular and unmistakable three-wattled bellbird and the beautiful band-tailed barbthroat. It is common to see red-lored amazon and blue headed-parrot flying together in flocks. At Swans Key, very near the reserve, it is possible to see the spectacular red billed tropicbird, a beautiful sea bird with unmistakable long white tail feathers longer than its body.
Over 32 mammal species have been recorded in the islands, with numerous populations of two-toed sloth, three toed-sloth and several of dolphin species. Thirteen bat species live in the park and its mysterious caves, including the bulldog bat and jamaicencis bat. The importance of bats to forest recovery is very important and should not be underestimated, as recent studies indicate that they spread seeds of 95 % of the plants growing on deforested land. Not only are there bats, but a list of other animals call the archipelago home. The Paca, white-throated Capuchin, night monkey, and striking anteater are also common in the forest areas. Among the amphibians, the presence of the famous poisonous dart frog is worth a special mention. It is found in the leaf litter of the Park’s slightly disturbed evergreen forest and presents great variations in coloring (red, yellow, and orange), a possible indication of specialization due to isolation on an island. The area contains numerous reptile species, and iguanas that can easily be seen by visitors. We also can find an amazing marine life off the islands shores.
