Like all anteaters, this tamandua (tamandua mexicana) or vested
anteater has no teeth. It uses the long sticky tongue in its tube-like
snout to entrap insects in the narrow fissures of termite or ant nests.
Its forepaws have large hooked claws to rip open these nests or for
defense, while the prehensile tail allows it to climb easily. These
solitary animals can be seen foraging in the canopy or on the ground, often
in thick tangled vegetation. This photograph was taken at Rara Avis
rainforest reserve in Costa Rica.
Because of their patchy distribution pattern, Central-American
Squirrel Monkeys (Saimiri oerstedii), sometimes considered a subspecies of
the common squirrel monkey, are thought to have been introduced by man into
the lowland forests of Central America. These highly active monkeys travel
in groups and feed on fruits and insects. They are endangered due to
habitat destruction; only a few isolated populations remain. Photograph
from Manuel Antonio National Park in Costa Rica
These heliconid butterflies (Phileathria dido) are mating. Their coloration, although
standing out in this photo, makes them difficult to see against the
sun-dappled greenery in which they feed. Photograph from the Rara Avis
reserve.
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