Kenzie W is Excited to See The Olive Ridley Turtle

I think this turtle is adorable and really cute. It is the smallest of the species and weights between 75 and 85 pounds. It has a dark olive green to black color. It is also called “Lora” or “Carpintera”.

It is found most abundantly off the pacific coast of Costa Rica. The nesting takes place along the whole length of the country. Out of 51 beaches 48 are suitable for their nesting to occur. The most important nesting beach is at Ostional.

Dakotah is Most Interested in Seeing a Cacomistle!

The animal that I am looking forward to seeing in Costa Rica is the Cacomistle. It is a mammal that lives in the rain forest and is a relative of the raccoon. It spends most of its life in the treetops and is mostly nocturnal. It is an incredible climber and is very fast. It has not been reported to attack humans.

Dakotah, I think we are seeing several animals that appear related to the racoon family. Looks like we need a night hike to see all the nocturnal animals!

Conner H. is Most Excited to See a Toucan!

I am looking forward to observe the Toucan in the rain forest of Costa Rica. No, I did not pick this animal because it's the face of my favorite cereal (Toucan Sam), but I do really enjoy the colors of the birds.

There are six different species of Toucan in Costa Rica, two of the most common are the keel-billed toucan (tucan pico iris), and the chestnut-mandibled toucan. (Ticos call is dios tedé). Another name for Toucan is the "flying banana"; I suppose they call it this because it's beak is shaped like a banana, and it also has a diet primarily consisting of fruit.

AJ is Most Excited about Seeing a White Nosed Coati!

This animal is an omnivore that has a very big appetite. It will eat lizards, plants, fruits and insects. Coatis usually travel in packs up to twenty four strong! While they travel in packs, they chatter back and forth making them easy to hear from ways away.

They are diurnal spending most of their time in the day foraging for food. They usually live in grasslands and forests where they will sleep in the trees. They are some mistaken for a raccoon because of their ringed tail but coatis hold there tails upright when walking, unlike raccoons.

Courtney B. Is Looking Forward To Seeing Manatees!

I am excited to see all the manatees. They are called sea cows because of their massive size and are vegetarians. They have whiskers and their closest relative is the elephant.

They are endangered now with only about 4,500 left. Humans pose little threat to manatees but the loss of habitat has taken it toll on the species. They are underwater mammals.

Courtney, we should be seeing these in Panama. They are awesome!

Titius M. is Most Interested in Seeing a Poison Dart Frog!

I am most excited to see a poison dart frog. Outside of a zoo I have never seen a frog that has a different color then muddy green.

I think it is extremely interesting that local Costa Ricans use the flesh of poison dart frogs to kill other larger animals while hunting. Their skin is poisonous! Until tonight I never knew an animal could poison you
any way other than injection. Poison Dart frogs live on the rainforrest floor.

Connor D. is Most Excited To See a Fer-de-lance!

I am most excited for the fer-de-lance, which is the most dangerous and common snake (but don't worry, with new advancements in medicine, the fatality rate is less than 1%!). Fer-de-lance is actually the North American name for them. In South America, they refer to them as two different types, Bothrops Apex (which is a bit more down Southwards) and the Bothrops asper which we'll encounter.

I have these really irrational fears, but I'll like to be scared. For example, I'm scared of heights but I love to ride roller coasters. Snakes scare me, but I've always liked to be near (near as I can be, mind you) to see them interact. Fer-de-lance like to hide under leaves and roots during the day, and they can be spotted with their brown skin and diamond patterns. The males have a yellow tip on their tail, and the young are brighter. The scariest part to me is the fact they are very aggressive and excitable, making them unpredictable. Their venom has a corroding element to it, and if not treated soon, the skin will begin to die around it. Also, the female is the dominant of the species, being larger than the male and weighing more. A part of me hopes we really see them, and the more sensible side of me says I hope we don't get into any trouble! I think they fascinate me the most just because they prove how diverse God's creation is! What a fascinating animal!

Connor, I'd be happy NOT to see this snake unless it is behind glass :)