Fauna:
Green Sea Turtle
Named for their diet of sea grass (and subsequent green fat), the green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) nests in Tortuguero between July and October. Weighing upwards of 250 pounds, these ancient reptiles were nearly hunted to extinction along Tortuguero’s shores for their shells, meat and eggs. By the late 1950’s conservation programs were put in place, and the turtle population is now on the rise.
Female green sea turtles have an inherent nesting instinct that drives them back to their natal beach to lay eggs. They typically return every two or three years and may nest several times in one season, laying anywhere from 80 to 120 eggs each time. Turtle hatchlings are born with a dark grey carapace that acts as camouflage on the sand for their treacherous journey to the sea.
West Indian Manatee
Manatees (Trichechus manatus) are endangered around the world. They belong to an unusual group of marine mammals distantly related to elephants. The West Indian manatee was thought to be extinct in Costa Rica until a small population was discovered deep within Tortuguero’s canals. Today, there are only a few manatees living in the area’s lagoons and river system. They are threatened by chemical runoff from banana plantations and by the increasing human traffic that passes through their fragile environment.
See also the Great Green Macaw
Flora:
Hawk Tree
The hawk tree (Pentaclethera macroloba), part of the mimosa family, is the most common tree in Tortuguero. It is named for its seedpods that resemble a hawk in flight. Bats pollinate the trees’ white flowers which open at night. The tree is toxic to most animals, has no parasites, and grows uninhibited along the shores of the Tortuguero River.
Buttressed Tree Trunks
Many species of trees found in Tortuguero and other tropical forests form large buttressed root systems. These are broad woody flanges at the base of the tree that function as structural support mechanisms. The buttressed roots enable expansive root systems to spread out over the forest floor for maximum nutrient intake. Buttresses grow with the tree in order to support the massive height and weight in shallow, tropical soil where nutrients are available only at the surface.
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