Below you can find a complete list of Central American animals. We currently track 251 animals in Central-America and are adding more every day!
The term Central America refers to Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama. This region connects North America to South America. It is bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Caribbean Sea to the east. With its many miles of coastline, acres of tropical forest, and centuries of unspoiled growth, Central America is an important biodiversity hotspot. It contains more than 7% of the earth’s biodiversity.
What Are the National Animals of Central American Countries?
- Belize: Mountain tapir.
- Costa Rica: White-tailed deer.
- El Salvador: Torogoz.
- Guatemala: Quetzal.
- Honduras: White-tailed deer.
- Nicaragua: Guardabarranco.
- Panama: Harpy eagle.
Where To Find the Top Wild Animals in Central America
All Central American countries have established national parks, marine reserves and wildlife sanctuaries. Some of these countries have turned to eco-tourism to boost their economies while preserving their unique wildlife species.
Here are some well-known places to visit animals in Central America.
- Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary in Belize is the world’s first jaguar preserve. It is a sanctuary for hundreds of birds, mountain tapirs, deer, and other wildlife.
- Tikal National Park in Guatemala is home to the greatest Maya ruins and a sanctuary for endangered tropical birds, jaguars, and other animals.
- Arenal National Park in Costa Rica is a protected area for more than 800 bird species, endangered wildlife, and reptiles.
- Cerro Azul de Copan National Park in Honduras protects a cloud forest in the Honduran mountains. It is a protected area for many bird and wildlife species.
- Volcan Baru National Park in Panama is on Panama’s only volcano.
The Most Dangerous Animals in Central America Today
Central America has many dangerous insects, reptiles and fish.
- American crocodile: While not as large or aggressive as its Australian cousin, the American crocodile, also known as the Central American alligator, is dangerous when provoked. Fortunately, these crocodiles prefer smaller prey.
- Venomous snakes: The fer-de-lance viper, which is native to the Central American forests, is one of the world’s deadliest snakes. Central America is also home to the tropical rattlesnake, yellow-bellied sea snake, and the Mexican bearded lizard. They are all highly poisonous.
- Amazonian giant centipede: The world’s largest centipede can reach 14 inches. These long, brightly colored insects kill their prey by injecting venom. Their bite won’t kill you, but it will cause intense pain and swelling.
- Bullet ant: Locals say the sting of this ant is like getting hit by a bullet. It is not fatal, but it will hurt.
- Red-bellied piranha: Piranhas are carnivorous fish that live in the Amazon River and surrounding streams. Piranhas are aggressive, but attacks on humans are rare.
Endangered Animals in Central America
Central America’s endangered animals include jaguars, howler monkeys, iguanas, and scarlet macaws. The Bahama Swallow, Bang’s mountain squirrel, big deer mouse, funnel-eared bat, and brown pelican are all animals that may become extinct if current trends continue.
Central America’s Exotic Animals
The animals of Central America have evolved to endure the hot, humid conditions of the rainforest and warm coastal areas. Conservation groups are working to protect these unusual exotic animals from becoming extinct. The best places to see them are the many zoos, wildlife preserves and national parks.
Central American Countries Animals Lists
Click any of the countries below to see a detailed list of animals located in that country!
- Animals in Bahamas
- Animals in Belize
- Animals in Cayman Islands
- Animals in Costa Rica
- Animals in Cuba
- Animals in Dominican Republic
- Animals in El Salvador
- Animals in Guatemala
- Animals in Haiti
- Animals in Honduras
- Animals in Jamaica
- Animals in Mexico
- Animals in Nicaragua
- Animals in Panama
- Animals in Puerto Rico
- Animals in Trinidad and Tobago
Central American Animals
Alligator Gar
The alligator gar has toxic eggs to protect against predators
Amazon Parrot
These parrots can be trained to be "talking birds" that mimic human speech
American Robin
The color “Robin egg blue” is named after the hue of their eggs.
Ant
First evolved 100 million years ago!
Anteater
Found throughout the Southern Hemisphere!
Apple Head Chihuahua
Apple Head Chihuahuas are toy breed dogs with a history dating back to ancient Mexico. They are lovable, loyal, smart and courageous with a lengthy lifespan despite being the world's smallest canines.
Arizona Bark Scorpion
Under UV light they glow a bright blue or green, making them easy to spot.
Armadillo
Can curl into a hard, protective ball!
Armyworm
They are so named because they "march" in armies of worms from one crop to another in search of food
Axolotl
Found only in one complex of lakes!
Barn Owl
Found everywhere around the world!
Barn Swallow
Older offspring help care for new hatchlings.
Barred Owl
Like other owls, the barred owl swallows its prey whole.
Bat
Detects prey using echolocation!
Bear
There are 8 different species!
Bed Bugs
Bed bugs feed for 4-12 minutes.
Bee
Rock paintings of bees date back 15,000 years
Beetle
There are more than 350,000 different species
Bighorn Sheep
Bighorn rams can run at speeds up to 40 miles per hour when fighting for dominance.
Bird
Not all birds are able to fly!
Biscuit Beetle
The biscuit beetle form a symbiotic relationship with yeast
Black Widow Spider
They typically prey on insects!
Blue Belly Lizard
This species can detach its tail to escape from predators
Blue grosbeak
Blue grosbeak parents take off the head, legs and wings of an insect before feeding it to their baby.
Bobcat
About double the size of a domestic cat!
Booby
Seabirds found across the South Pacific!
Bowfin
The bowfin is a primitive fish that first evolved in the Jurassic
Box Turtle
This reptile has an S-shaped neck allowing it to pull its entire head into its shell.
Bullfrog
Has loud cow-like calls!
Burrowing Owl
The burrowing owl lives in underground burrows
Butterfly
There are thought to be up 20,000 species!
Caecilian
Some species' babies use their hooked or scraper-like teeth to peel off and eat their mother's skin
Caiman
Can grow to up 6 meters long!
Camel Cricket
The camel crickets that are found in the USA are light brown in color. They also have dark streaks all over their body.
Camel Spider
Fast, carnivorous arachnid with a painful bite.
Carpenter Ant
Carpenter ants can lift up to seven times their own weight with their teeth!
Cat
First domesticated by the Ancient Egyptians!
Caterpillar
The larvae of a moth or butterfly!
Catfish
There are nearly 3,000 different species!
Centipede
There are about 3,000 documented species!
Chickadee
Chickadees are named for the sound they make: Chick-a-dee-dee-dee-dee-dee!
Chicken
First domesticated more than 10,000 years ago!
Chihuahua
Curious and devoted personality!
Cichlid
There are more than 2 000 known species!
Coati
Found in dense forests and wet jungles!
Cockroach
Dated to be around 300 million years old!
Collared Peccary
Form bands of up to 12 individuals!
Common Furniture Beetle
The common furniture beetle feeds exclusively on wood
Common House Spider
House spiders have the ability to eat most insects in a home.
Common Raven
A group of ravens is called an unkindness or a conspiracy.
Cooper’s Hawk
Eyes change color as they age
Cow
There are nearly 1.5 million worldwide!
Coyote
Also known as the Prairie Wolf!
Crab
There are 93 different crab groups
Crab Spider
Crab Spiders can mimic ants or bird droppings
Cricket
Male crickets can produce sounds by rubbing their wings together
Crocodile
Have changed little in 200 million years!
Crow
A group of these birds is called a Murder.
Deer Head Chihuahua
The Chihuahua is the smallest dog breed in the world.
Desert Tortoise
Lives in burrows underground!
Dog
First domesticated in South-East Asia!
Donkey
First domesticated 5,000 years ago!
Dragonfly
It's larvae are carnivorous!
Duck
Rows of tiny plates line their teeth!
Dung Beetle
The dung beetle can push objects many times its own weight
Eagle
Has exceptional eyesight!
Earthworm
They are hermaphrodites, which means they have male and female organs
Earwig
There are nearly 2,000 different species!
Eastern Bluebird
Bluebirds drop straight down on their prey from their perch, much like leopards.
Eastern Fence Lizard
Females are usually larger than males.
Eastern Phoebe
This passerine bird can sing its song without ever hearing another bird vocalize first.
Eel
Eels can be a mere few inches long to 13 feet!
Falcon
The fastest creatures on the planet!
False Widow Spider
False spiders actually prey on black widow spiders and other hazardous spiders
Ferruginous Hawk
The ferruginous hawk comes in both light and dark morphs
Fiddler Crab
The fiddler crab gets its name from the motion the males make with their over-sized claw during the mating ritual.
Firefly
The firefly produces some of the most efficient light in the world
Flamingo
Sleeps on just one leg!
Flea
Adult fleas can jump up to 7 inches in the air
Fly
There are more than 240,000 different species!
Flying Squirrel
Can glide up to 90 meters!
Fox Squirrel
Although it is a tree squirrel, it spends most of its time on the ground.
Frog
There are around 7,000 different species!
Fruit Fly
Fruit flies are among the most common research animals in the world
Gar
Can grow to more than 3m long!
Gecko
There are thought to be over 2,000 species!
Geoffroys Tamarin
Has distinctive V shape on head!
Glass Frog
You can see their internal organs.
Glow Worm
Found inhabiting dense woodland and caves!
Gnat
Males form large mating swarms at dusk
Gopher
They dig large networks of tunnels!
Grasshopper
There are 11,000 known species!
Grasshopper Mouse
The grasshopper mice attack predators using the poison of their venom.
Gray Fox
The gray fox has retractable claws and a rotating wrist that allow it to climb trees with some proficiency
Great Blue Heron
Their wingspan is larger than an eagle’s; both males and females help hatch the eggs; rich in symbolism
Great Crested Flycatcher
This species makes use of some truly unusual nesting material, including snakeskin and garbage
Guppy
Also known as the Millionfish!
Hamster
Able to run as quickly backwards as forwards!
Hare
Can reach speeds of over 40 mph!
Harpy Eagle
Talon's the size of a grizzly bear's claws!
Harris Hawk
Their vision is eight times better than a human's
Havanese
These are the only dogs that are native to Cuba
Hercules Beetle
This dynastine scarab beetle makes a weird huffing sound when it’s disturbed.
Heron
Inhabits wetlands around the world!
Honduran White Bat
The bat only eats figs.
Honey Bee
There are only 8 recognized species!
Horned Lizard
The horned lizards are able to squirt blood from their eyes.
Horse
Has evolved over 50 million years!
Horsefly
Horseflies have been seen performing Immelmann turns, much like fighter jets.
Horseshoe Crab
Changed little in over 500 million years!
House Finch
The house finch can become redder depending on what it eats
House wren
The wren’s epithet, aedon, comes from a Greek queen who accidentally killed her only son. She was actually aiming for her nephew, and Zeus took pity on her and turned her into a nightingale.
Housefly
The fly has no teeth
Howler Monkey
Spends 80% of it's time resting!
Human
Thought to have orignated 200,000 years ago!
Hummingbird
Beat their wings up to 80 times per second!
Huntsman Spider
Some huntsman spiders have an interesting way of moving around. Some cartwheel while others do handsprings or backflips.
Ibis
Found in swamps, marshes and wetlands!
Iguana
Uses visual signals to communicate!
Imperial Moth
Since the imperial moth doesn’t eat, it does die shortly after it lays its eggs. Its lifespan is only about one week.
Insects
There are an estimated 30 million species!
Ivory-billed woodpecker
The ivory-billed woodpecker can drill into wood with its sharp beak
Jacana
The jacana has the ability to swim underwater
Jaguar
The largest feline on the American continent!
Jaguarundi Cat
These cats are expert swimmers.
Jumping Spider
Some can jump 50 times the length of their bodies
Kangaroo Rat
Merriam’s kangaroo rats literally never have to drink water
Keel-Billed Toucan
It's beak can reach nearly 20 cm long!
Kingfisher
Inhabits wetlands and woodlands worldwide!
Kinkajou
The kinkajou is a nimble forest-dwelling mammal of Central and South America.
Ladybug
There are more than 5,000 species worldwide!
Leech
Has 10 pairs of eyes!
Leopard Frog
They can jump up to three feet
Lizard
There are around 5,000 different species!
Locust
Each locust can eat its weight in plants each day.
Macaw
The largest species of parrot in the world!
Maggot
Will only live in wet areas
Mallard
With an appropriate tail wind, the mallard can travel hundreds of miles a day
Marine Toad
Produces a toxin used in arrow darts!
Mayfly
There are 2,500 known species worldwide!
Mealybug
They have a symbiotic relationship with ants.
Mexican Alligator Lizard
Mexican alligator lizards shed their skin like snakes.
Mexican Free-Tailed Bat
Some colonies have millions of bats
Mexican Mole Lizard
They can break off part of their tail, but it will not grow back.
Millipede
Some species have a poisonous bite!
Mole
Primarily hunts and feeds on Earthworms!
Mole Cricket
Adult Mole crickets may fly as far as 5 miles during mating season and are active most of the year.
Molly
Known for their calm and peaceful nature!
Monarch Butterfly
During migration, Monarch Butterflies may travel 250 or more miles each day.
Mongrel
Has characteristics of two or more breeds!
Monkey
There are around 260 known species!
Monte Iberia Eleuth
The smallest frog in the Northern Hemisphere!
Moorhen
Feeds on aquatic insects and water-spiders!
Mosquito
Only the female mosquito actually sucks blood
Moth
There are 250,000 different species!
Mountain Bluebird
Depending on the time of the year, the mountain bird can live as far north as Alaska.
Mountain Lion
Has no real natural predators!
Mourning Dove
It is almost always the male who makes the famous sad sound, which is a wooing call
Mouse
Found on every continent on Earth!
Mule
The offspring of a horse and donkey parents!
Muskrat
The muskrat can stay underwater up to 17 minutes at a time
No See Ums
There are more than 5,000 species.
Northern Cardinal
Males are a bright red color, also called "cardinal red"
Ocelot
Also known as the Painted Leopard!
Orb Weaver
Females are about four times the size of males
Otter
There are 13 different species worldwide
Panther
Prefers to hunt at night than during the day!
Parrot
Can live for up to 100 years!
Parrotlet
Parrotlets aren't the world's tiniest parrot — that would be the pygmy parrot of Australasia.
Peregrine Falcon
Fastest animal on Earth
Pheasant
Females lay between 8 and 12 eggs per clutch!
Pigeon
They can find their way back to their nests from up to 1300 miles away.
Poison Dart Frog
Inhabits the jungles of Central and South America!
Polyphemus moth
The Polyphemus moth doesn’t eat.
Porcupine
There are 30 different species worldwide!
Prairie Dog
Prairie dog “towns” can consists of hundreds of individuals
Prairie Rattlesnake
The striking distance of a prairie rattlesnake is 2/3rds the length of its body.
Praying Mantis
The mantis can turn its head 180 degrees.
Pronghorn
While pronghorns are the fastest runner of any Western Hemisphere land animal, they are not good jumpers.
Puma
Has longer back legs than front legs!
Quail
Inhabits woodland and forest areas worldwide!
Quetzal
The tail feathers of the male can be 1m long!
Raccoon
Known to wash their food before eating it!
Rat
Omnivores that eat anything!
Rattlesnake
It's venom digests it's prey before it even swallows it!
Red Finch
Red finches can form flocks of over 100 birds.
Red Knee Tarantula
Inhabits the Pacific Mountains of Mexico!
Red-winged blackbird
The male red-winged blackbird can sing to attract mates
River Turtle
Inhabits freshwater habitats around the world!
Robin
There are more than 45 species in Australia alone!
Rodents
The capybara, the world’s largest rodent, likes to be in and around bodies of water. Because of this, the Catholic Church in South America decided that it was a fish, and people were allowed to eat it during Lent and First Fridays.
Rooster
Will mate with the entire flock!
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Rose-breasted grosbeaks are closely related to cardinals
Roseate Spoonbill
The only Spoonbill in the western hemisphere!
Ruby-Throated Hummingbird
Ruby-throated hummingbirds can beat their wings more than 50 times per second.
Saber-Toothed Tiger
Canines up to 7 inches long!
Salamander
There are more than 700 different species!
Sand Crab
The sand crab burrows beneath the sand with its tail
Scarlet Macaw
Like many parrots, the scarlet macaw is capable of vocal mimicry.
Scorpion
There are around 2,000 known species!
Sea Eagle
The sea eagle tends to mate for life with a single partner
Seagull
Some gulls are capable of using tools
Seahorse
Males give birth to up to 1,000 offspring!
Sheep
Around 35 million in the English countryside!
Shrew
The spinal column of the shrew Scutisorex somereni is so strong and reinforced that it can support the weight of an adult human.
Shrimp
There are 2,000 different species worldwide!
Skink Lizard
Some skinks lay eggs in some habitats while giving birth to skinklets in other habitats.
Sloth
It's body temperature is between 30 - 34 degrees!
Slug
They glide around on one foot, which is aided by the slime they produce
Snail
There are nearly 1,000 different species!
Snake
There are around 3,000 known species worldwide
Snapping Turtle
Only found in North America!
Song Sparrow
Pumps its tail when it flies!
Spanish Goat
They have long, horizontal ears.
Sparrow
There are 140 different species!
Spider Monkey
Found in the tropical jungles of South America!
Spider Wasp
They prey on spiders to feed their larvae or they parasitize other spider wasps.
Spotted Gar
They are commonly mistaken as logs in the water due to their cylindrical body.
Squirrel
Small rodents found in woodlands worldwide!
Squirrel Monkey
Lives in groups of up to 500 individuals!
Stick Insect
There are more than 3,000 different species!
Stork
They can’t sing like other birds.
Swan
Populations have been affected by pollution!
Tarantula Hawk
Tarantula hawks are excellent pollinators, especially for milkweed.
Termite
Their mounds can be up to 9 meters tall!
Thrush
The American robin is called the robin because its red breast reminded European settlers of the robin back in the old country.
Tick
They inject hosts with a chemical that stops them from feeling the pain of the bite
Tiger Beetle
The adult tiger beetle is one of the fastest land insects in the world
Tortoise
Can live until they are more than 150 years old!
Toucan
There are more than 40 different species!
Tree Frog
Found in warmer jungles and forests!
Tree swallow
The tree swallow can make more than a dozen distinct vocalizations
Turtles
Some species of aquatic turtles can get up to 70 percent of their oxygen through their butt.
Umbrellabird
Migrates up and down the mountains!
Vampire Bat
Have a heat sensor on the end of their nose!
Vinegaroon
Vinegaroons can spray 19 times before the glands are depleted
Vulture
There are 30 different species worldwide!
Wasp
There are around 75,000 recognised species!
White-Faced Capuchin
One of the world's most intelligent monkeys!
White-tail deer
White-tail deer are good swimmers
Wolf
Thought to date back more than 300,000 years!
Wolf Spider
Carnivorous arachnid that hunts its prey.
Wood Turtle
Temperature determines the sex of turtle eggs
Woodlouse
This animal can roll up into a ball
Woodpecker
There are 200 different species!
Worm
Doesn’t have eyes.
Writing Spider
males pluck webs like strings on a guitar
Xoloitzcuintli
The Xoloitzcuintli is the national dog of Mexico
Central American Animals List
- Alligator Gar
- Amazon Parrot
- American Robin
- Ant
- Anteater
- Apple Head Chihuahua
- Arizona Bark Scorpion
- Armadillo
- Armyworm
- Axolotl
- Barn Owl
- Barn Swallow
- Barred Owl
- Bat
- Bear
- Bed Bugs
- Bee
- Beetle
- Bighorn Sheep
- Bird
- Biscuit Beetle
- Black Widow Spider
- Blue Belly Lizard
- Blue grosbeak
- Blue Iguana
- Bobcat
- Booby
- Bowfin
- Box Turtle
- Bullfrog
- Burrowing Owl
- Butterfly
- Caecilian
- Caiman
- Camel Cricket
- Camel Spider
- Carpenter Ant
- Cat
- Caterpillar
- Catfish
- Centipede
- Chickadee
- Chicken
- Chihuahua
- Cichlid
- Coati
- Cockroach
- Collared Peccary
- Common Furniture Beetle
- Common House Spider
- Common Raven
- Cooper’s Hawk
- Cow
- Coyote
- Crab
- Crab Spider
- Cricket
- Crocodile
- Crow
- Cuckoo
- Deer Head Chihuahua
- Desert Tortoise
- Dog
- Donkey
- Dragonfly
- Duck
- Dung Beetle
- Eagle
- Earthworm
- Earwig
- Eastern Bluebird
- Eastern Fence Lizard
- Eastern Phoebe
- Eel
- Falcon
- False Widow Spider
- Ferruginous Hawk
- Fiddler Crab
- Firefly
- Flamingo
- Flea
- Fly
- Flying Squirrel
- Fox Squirrel
- Frog
- Fruit Fly
- Gar
- Gecko
- Geoffroys Tamarin
- Glass Frog
- Glow Worm
- Gnat
- Gopher
- Grasshopper
- Grasshopper Mouse
- Gray Fox
- Great Blue Heron
- Great Crested Flycatcher
- Guppy
- Hamster
- Hare
- Harpy Eagle
- Harris Hawk
- Havanese
- Hercules Beetle
- Heron
- Honduran White Bat
- Honey Bee
- Horned Lizard
- Horse
- Horsefly
- Horseshoe Crab
- House Finch
- House wren
- Housefly
- Howler Monkey
- Human
- Hummingbird
- Huntsman Spider
- Ibis
- Iguana
- Imperial Moth
- Insects
- Ivory-billed woodpecker
- Jacana
- Jaguar
- Jaguarundi Cat
- Jumping Spider
- Kangaroo Rat
- Keel-Billed Toucan
- Kingfisher
- Kinkajou
- Ladybug
- Leech
- Leopard Frog
- Lizard
- Locust
- Macaw
- Maggot
- Mallard
- Marine Toad
- Mayfly
- Mealybug
- Mexican Alligator Lizard
- Mexican Free-Tailed Bat
- Mexican Mole Lizard
- Millipede
- Mole
- Mole Cricket
- Molly
- Monarch Butterfly
- Mongrel
- Monkey
- Monte Iberia Eleuth
- Moorhen
- Mosquito
- Moth
- Mountain Bluebird
- Mountain Lion
- Mourning Dove
- Mouse
- Mule
- Muskrat
- No See Ums
- Northern Cardinal
- Ocelot
- Orb Weaver
- Otter
- Panther
- Parrot
- Parrotlet
- Peregrine Falcon
- Pheasant
- Pigeon
- Poison Dart Frog
- Polyphemus moth
- Porcupine
- Prairie Dog
- Prairie Rattlesnake
- Praying Mantis
- Pronghorn
- Puma
- Quail
- Quetzal
- Raccoon
- Rat
- Rattlesnake
- Red Finch
- Red Knee Tarantula
- Red-winged blackbird
- River Turtle
- Robin
- Rodents
- Rooster
- Rose-breasted Grosbeak
- Roseate Spoonbill
- Ruby-Throated Hummingbird
- Saber-Toothed Tiger
- Salamander
- Sand Crab
- Scarlet Macaw
- Scorpion
- Sea Eagle
- Seagull
- Seahorse
- Sheep
- Shrew
- Shrimp
- Skink Lizard
- Sloth
- Slug
- Snail
- Snake
- Snapping Turtle
- Song Sparrow
- Spanish Goat
- Sparrow
- Spider Monkey
- Spider Wasp
- Spotted Gar
- Squirrel
- Squirrel Monkey
- Stick Insect
- Stork
- Swan
- Tarantula Hawk
- Termite
- Thrush
- Tick
- Tiger Beetle
- Tortoise
- Toucan
- Tree Frog
- Tree swallow
- Turkey
- Turtles
- Umbrellabird
- Vampire Bat
- Vinegaroon
- Vulture
- Wasp
- White-Faced Capuchin
- White-tail deer
- Wolf
- Wolf Spider
- Wood Turtle
- Woodlouse
- Woodpecker
- Worm
- Writing Spider
- Xoloitzcuintli
Animals in Central-America FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
What Kinds of Animals Live in Central America?
In Central America, you are likely to see many exotic rainforest animals like parrots, toucans, monkeys, sloths, iguanas, crocodiles, and jaguars. Unique birds include macaws, parrots, and toucans, but you will also find owls and hawks in the forests.
Central America is home to several species of big cats, including panthers, jaguars, margays, ocelots, and jaguarundi.
The waters of these countries support many important coral reef systems. For instance, the Belize Barrier Reef is the second largest barrier reef system in the world. These waters are important nesting grounds for sea turtles, manatees, water birds, and many endangered species. Central America contains many UNESCO World Heritage Sites that recognize the unique importance of their flora and fauna.
Each country in Central America has its own unique species. These countries have taken steps to protect their precious natural resources by establishing national parks and marine reserves.
What Exotic Animals Are in Central America?
- Baird’s tapir: The tapir, known locally as the mountain cow, looks like a cross between a cow and a wild pig. This unusual animal almost became extinct, but it is now beloved for its gentle personality and amusing behavior. Tapirs now enjoy protected status in most of Central America.
- White-faced capuchin monkey: This small, beautiful monkey is exceptionally smart. Central America has many unique monkey species, including howler monkeys, which are the loudest animal on earth.
- Quetzal: This brilliantly colored bird is remarkable for its extremely long tail feathers. Although the quetzal is the national bird of Guatemala, it is critically endangered. Cloud forest preserves are important sanctuaries for quetzals and other tropical birds.
- Jaguar: The largest wild cat of the Northern hemisphere, the mysterious, elusive jaguar is an important cultural symbol to Central Americans. Although jaguars are endangered, their populations are recovering.
- Iguana: There are several types of iguanas, and you can find them all in Central America. You can find marine iguanas, green iguanas and blue iguanas. Although iguanas seem to be everywhere when you’re in Central America, they are threatened by habitat loss and introduced species, including cats and dogs, that prey on them.
How Many Mammal Species Are Found in Central America?
Central America has more than 350 native mammal species.
What Animals Live in the Central American Rainforest?
- Tropical birds: You will see many vivid, loud tropical birds in the rainforest, including scarlet macaws, keel-billed toucans, and orange-winged parrots. Hummingbirds are prevalent in the rainforests and surrounding areas.
- Big cats: Jaguars, ocelots, panthers, and margays all live in the tropical rainforests and the mountain cloud forests.
- Kinkajou: This small, nocturnal mammal spends its life in the rainforest trees. This adorable, big-eared creature has a long tongue and loves to forage for fruit.
- Marsupials: Central America is home to much-loved marsupials like the sloth. Central America is home to pygmy sloths, Hoffman’s two-toed sloths, and brown-throated sloths.
- Marine life: Dolphins, manatees, and sea turtles all live in the warm waters around Central America.
- Insects: The lanternfly, rhinoceros beetle, black butterfly, mosquito, and praying mantis are all native to the rainforest.
