N S W E
Wildlife Expeditions

Wildlife of
Panama

Panama is a biodiversity-packed land bridge where rainforest mammals and iconic birds like the harpy eagle meet world-class two-ocean marine life-whales, turtles, reef fish, and more-often within a single trip.
327 Species
75,417 km² Land Area
Overview

About Panama

Panama's wildlife fame comes from its position as the narrow "bridge of the Americas," a natural corridor that has funneled species between North and South America for millions of years. This mixing zone, combined with steep elevation gradients and coastlines on both the Caribbean and Pacific, creates extraordinary species diversity in a relatively small country. Visitors come for rainforest soundscapes alive with howler monkeys and toucans, the chance of spotting elusive jaguars and tapirs, and standout birding-especially raptors like the national bird, the harpy eagle.

Key ecosystems span humid lowland rainforests (notably in Darién and the Canal watershed), misty cloud forests in the highlands around Chiriquí, and extensive mangroves, seagrass beds, and coral and rocky reefs along two very different coasts. The Panama Canal watershed is a particularly important conservation story: protecting forests around the canal safeguards not only wildlife habitat but also the water supply and ecological stability that keep the canal functioning. Offshore, island and coastal protected areas-from the Pearl Islands to the Caribbean archipelagos-support nesting sea turtles, healthy fish nurseries, and migratory pathways for marine megafauna.

In global conservation terms, Panama plays an outsized role as a migratory bottleneck and biodiversity stronghold: millions of raptors and other birds pass through during migration, while marine migrations bring humpback whales to both coasts in different seasons. Community-led stewardship and protected areas help conserve culturally and biologically rich regions such as Darién and Indigenous comarcas. What makes the wildlife experience uniquely Panamanian is the sheer range of habitats you can combine-canal-side rainforest wildlife minutes from Panama City, highland cloud-forest endemics, and snorkeling, diving, or whale watching on either ocean-often with excellent guiding and accessible reserves.

Physical Features

Geography

Panama's narrow isthmus forms a biogeographic bridge between North and South America, allowing species interchange and concentrating biodiversity. A steep central mountain spine (including the Talamanca Range) creates strong rainfall and temperature gradients that split Caribbean (wetter) and Pacific (more seasonal) forest types, while isolated highlands support cloud-forest endemics. Extensive two-ocean coastlines, mangroves, estuaries, and offshore islands add major marine and coastal habitats, and large river watersheds (e.g., Tuira-Chucunaque) connect lowland rainforests to wetlands, shaping corridors for wide-ranging mammals (jaguars) and raptors (harpy eagle) as well as migratory birds.

75,417 km² Land Area
About the size of Scotland; roughly the 118th-120th largest country (by land area) Size Rank

Key Landscapes

  • Central mountain spine (the Central Mountain Range, extending into the Talamanca Range) with high-elevation cloud forests (for example, around Baru Volcano)
  • Caribbean (Atlantic) lowland rainforests and foothills-generally wetter, supporting dense evergreen forest habitats
  • Pacific slope lowlands with stronger dry season, including drier forest mosaics toward the Azuero Peninsula
  • Darien region (eastern Panama): extensive, relatively intact lowland rainforest, wetlands, and rugged mountains centered on Darien National Park, one of the largest protected areas in Central America
  • Major river basins and floodplains: Tuira-Chucunaque (Darien), Bayano, Chagres (key to Canal watershed), Santa Maria-important for freshwater biodiversity and riparian corridors
  • Panama Canal and Gatun Lake/Canal watershed forests-large freshwater body plus protected forest matrix that maintains connectivity and wetland-edge habitats
  • Mangroves, tidal flats, and estuaries on both coasts (notably extensive on the Pacific side, including the Gulf of Panama and Gulf of Chiriquí)
  • Two-ocean coastlines and coral/rocky reef systems: Caribbean fringing reefs (e.g., Bocas del Toro, Guna Yala) and Pacific upwelling-influenced waters (Gulf of Panama)
  • Offshore islands and archipelagos: Bocas del Toro (Caribbean), Pearl Islands and Coiba (Pacific) providing key seabird, turtle, and reef/fish habitats
  • Savannas/grasslands and agricultural plains (e.g., parts of Azuero and central lowlands) that create habitat edges and influence wildlife movement and human-wildlife conflict

Ecoregions

  • Isthmian-Atlantic moist forests (Caribbean-slope lowland moist forests)
  • Isthmian-Pacific moist forests (Pacific-slope lowland moist forests)
  • Panamanian dry forests (notably in the Azuero Peninsula and adjacent seasonally dry areas)
  • Talamancan montane forests (high-elevation/cloud forests in western Panama)
  • Chiriquí-Darién montane forests (montane/foothill forests along Panama's central highlands)
  • Central American mangroves (Caribbean and Pacific mangrove complexes)
  • Choco-Darien moist forests (eastern Panama lowland rainforest, including much of the Darien region)
  • Southern Mesoamerican Pacific mangroves / Gulf of Panama mangroves (Pacific estuarine mangrove systems, where recognized separately)
Parks & Reserves

Protected Areas

Panama's protected-area network is organized under the National System of Protected Areas, overseen primarily by the Ministry of Environment. It includes national parks (both terrestrial and marine), forest reserves, wildlife refuges, protected landscapes, and other special management areas that help safeguard the Panama Canal watershed, key mountain cloud forests, and both the Caribbean and Pacific coasts. Conservation is complemented by Indigenous territories (which retain extensive natural cover and function as important biodiversity buffers) and a growing set of private reserves, especially in the Panama Canal area and the Chiriqui highlands, often focused on habitat connectivity, bird conservation, and watershed protection.

Protected Coverage

Approximately ~33% of Panama's land area is under formal protection within the national protected-area system (figures vary by source and year). In addition, Panama has expanded marine protection in recent years; a substantial share of its territorial waters is designated as MPAs, though exact coverage depends on the boundary definitions used.

Notable Parks & Reserves

Darien National Park

National Park; UNESCO World Heritage Site; UNESCO Biosphere Reserve

One of Central America's largest intact rainforests, Darien is a key land-bridge ecosystem where North and South American species overlap, supporting top predators and globally important bird diversity. Its remoteness helps maintain ecological integrity and makes it critical for jaguar and harpy eagle conservation.

Jaguar
Jaguar
Harpy eagle
Harpy eagle
Baird's tapir
Giant anteater
Spider monkey
Spider monkey
American crocodile

Soberania National Park

National Park

A flagship site for tropical birding near the Panama Canal, famous for high bird species counts along Pipeline Road and for accessible lowland rainforest wildlife viewing. It also forms part of the Canal watershed conservation mosaic.

Keel-billed toucan
Keel-billed toucan
Blue-crowned motmot
Mantled howler monkey
White-faced capuchin
White-faced capuchin
Geoffroy's tamarin
Geoffroy's tamarin
Brown-throated sloth

Chagres National Park

National Park (key Panama Canal watershed protected area)

A vast protected watershed supplying water to the Panama Canal and Panama City, with extensive rainforest, rivers, and ridgelines that support healthy populations of forest mammals and diverse birdlife. It is important for landscape connectivity between the Canal area and eastern forests.

Jaguar
Jaguar
Ocelot
Ocelot
Mantled howler monkey
White-faced capuchin
White-faced capuchin
Central American agouti
Collared peccary
Collared peccary

Coiba National Park and its Special Zone of Marine Protection

National Park (Marine); UNESCO World Heritage Site

Panama's premier marine wildlife destination, protecting reefs, deep-water habitats, and one of the Eastern Tropical Pacific's most important pelagic corridors. It is renowned for large shark encounters and seasonal aggregations of whales and other megafauna.

Scalloped hammerhead shark
Whale shark (seasonal)
Humpback whale (seasonal)
Manta ray
Manta ray
Hawksbill sea turtle
Bottlenose dolphin
Bottlenose dolphin

La Amistad International Park (Panama sector)

International Park (transboundary); UNESCO World Heritage Site

A major transboundary cloud-forest and montane wilderness shared with Costa Rica, protecting elevational gradients that are vital for climate resilience and wide-ranging mammals. It is among the most important regions in Central America for highland birds and large mammals.

Resplendent quetzal
Resplendent quetzal
Baird's tapir
Jaguar
Jaguar
Puma
Puma
Ocelot
Ocelot
Three-wattled bellbird

Volcan Baru National Park

National Park

Panama's highest peak protects high-elevation forests that are key for highland endemics and iconic cloud-forest birds, with some of the country's best chances to see quetzals. Its steep elevational gradients support distinct habitats over short distances.

Resplendent quetzal
Resplendent quetzal
Volcano hummingbird
Black guan
White-nosed coati
Puma
Puma

Bastimentos Island Marine National Park

Marine National Park

A biodiversity-rich Caribbean seascape of coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangroves in the Bocas del Toro archipelago, important for reef fish communities and sea turtles. It offers some of Panama's most accessible Caribbean marine wildlife viewing.

Hawksbill sea turtle
Green sea turtle
West Indian manatee
Caribbean reef shark
Caribbean reef shark
Spotted eagle ray
Bottlenose dolphin
Bottlenose dolphin

San San-Pond Sak Wildlife Refuge

Wildlife Refuge; Ramsar Wetland of International Importance

A key Caribbean coastal wetland complex of lagoons, mangroves, and beaches, vital for sea turtle nesting and for manatees in sheltered waters. It is one of Panama's most important sites for coastal wetland conservation in the northwest.

Leatherback sea turtle
Leatherback sea turtle
Green sea turtle
West Indian manatee
American crocodile
Neotropical river otter

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

  • Darien National Park
  • Coiba National Park and its Special Zone of Marine Protection
  • Talamanca Range-La Amistad Reserves / La Amistad National Park (shared with Costa Rica)
Animals

Wildlife

Panama is a narrow, mountainous land bridge between North and South America with two-ocean coastlines, creating an exceptional mix of biotas and habitats in a small area. Lowland Caribbean and Pacific rainforests, mangroves, dry forests on the Azuero Peninsula, and high-elevation cloud forests (e.g., Volcán Barú region) support a blend of Amazonian/Chocó species and Central American fauna. The Panama Canal watershed and parks such as Soberanía, Darién, La Amistad, and Coiba are particularly wildlife-rich, with headline species like harpy eagles and jaguars on land and humpback whales and sea turtles along the coasts.

~250 species Mammals
~1,000 species (one of the highest totals in the Americas for its size) Birds
~230 species Reptiles
~200 species (many populations impacted by chytrid fungus in uplands) Amphibians

Iconic Species

Harpy Eagle
Harpy Eagle A flagship rainforest raptor and one of Panama's most sought-after sightings; best chances are in large, intact forests-especially Darién National Park and remote eastern Panama.
Jaguar
Jaguar Panama is a key link in the Mesoamerican jaguar corridor; strongholds include Darién and other extensive forest blocks, though the species is elusive and mostly detected via camera traps.
Baird's Tapir Central America's largest native land mammal; Panama provides important habitat in protected highlands and lowlands (notably Darién and La Amistad), with occasional sightings on forest trails and river corridors.
Geoffroy's Spider Monkey A charismatic canopy primate that defines many rainforest visits; seen in well-protected forests such as Soberanía (Pipeline Road area), Darién, and other mature lowland forests.
Resplendent Quetzal
Resplendent Quetzal An emblematic cloud-forest bird sought by birders in the western highlands; best known from the Boquete/Volcán region and forests associated with La Amistad.
Hoffmann's Two-toed Sloth A classic "Panama rainforest" animal often encountered in accessible forest near the Canal watershed (e.g., Soberanía/Gamboa) and in Caribbean lowland forests.
American Crocodile Commonly observed in coastal lagoons, mangroves, and estuaries on both coasts; notable viewing opportunities include mangrove systems around the Panama Bay region and other lowland wetlands.
Humpback Whale
Humpback Whale Panama's Pacific coast is a major seasonal whale-watching destination; whales from both Northern and Southern Hemisphere populations use the warm waters (notably Gulf of Chiriquí/Coiba area and the Pearl Islands region) for breeding and calving at different times of year.
Green Sea Turtle A signature marine species of both Caribbean and Pacific waters; important feeding and nesting areas occur along Panama's coasts and island archipelagos, with conservation-focused viewing in select protected sites.

Endemic Species

Panamanian Golden Frog Panama's best-known endemic amphibian (and a national symbol); wild populations crashed due to chytrid fungus, and it persists mainly through intensive conservation and assurance colonies, with tightly managed reintroduction efforts. Endemic
Coiba Howler Monkey Near-endemic primate restricted primarily to Coiba Island and nearby islands/offshore areas; a hallmark species for visitors to Coiba National Park. Endemic
Coiba Agouti A near-endemic island rodent strongly associated with Coiba; often encountered on forest paths and edges within Coiba National Park. Endemic
Coiba Spinetail A near-endemic bird of Coiba's forests and scrub; one of the signature endemics sought by birders visiting the island. Endemic
Yellow-green Brushfinch A Panama endemic found in highland forest and edges in western Panama; notable target species in montane birding circuits. Endemic
Coiba Island Anole A near-endemic lizard of Coiba and nearby islands; represents the island-driven endemism that makes Coiba biologically distinctive. Endemic

Notable Populations

  • Major biogeographic mixing zone: Panama's land-bridge position concentrates both North- and South-American lineages, producing exceptionally high bird diversity for a country of its size.
  • Globally important raptor stronghold: large, intact forests in eastern Panama (especially Darién) remain among the better places in Central America to retain breeding habitat for Harpy Eagles.
  • Internationally significant migratory bird bottleneck: the Canal watershed and adjacent forests (e.g., Soberanía) are a premier site for observing Neotropical migration and raptor movements.
  • Two-hemisphere humpback whale use of the Pacific coast: Panama hosts whales from Northern and Southern Hemisphere populations in different seasons, making it unusually reliable for whale watching in the tropics.
  • Eastern Tropical Pacific marine biodiversity hotspot: Coiba National Park protects one of the most important reef/island-marine systems in the region, supporting sharks, rays, and abundant reef fish communities alongside island endemics.
Protection

Conservation

Primary Threats

  • Clearing and fragmentation of forests for cattle pasture, smallholder agriculture, and settlement expansion-especially in eastern Panama (Darien) and along road corridors-reduces connectivity for wide-ranging mammals (e.g., jaguars) and pressures flagship raptors like harpy eagles that need large intact forest blocks. Coastal mangroves and wetlands are also converted or degraded near urban/tourism growth zones.
  • Expansion of cattle ranching and commercial agriculture (including plantations in suitable lowlands) drives deforestation and edge effects, increases human access to previously remote forests, and can intensify pesticide/fertilizer runoff into rivers, estuaries, and nearshore reefs.
  • Illegal and unsustainable timber extraction persists in remote areas, including selective logging that degrades habitat quality even where complete clearing does not occur. Logging roads open new frontiers for settlement, hunting, and further land conversion, particularly in the Darien region.
  • Road building and upgrades (including feeder roads) increase access to intact forest landscapes, accelerating land speculation, logging, hunting, and fragmentation. Canal-related infrastructure and associated urban/industrial growth can add pressure in the canal watershed and coastal zones if not carefully managed.
  • Metal mining proposals and operations can threaten forests and headwaters via land clearing, sedimentation, and potential contamination risks. Conflicts can arise where concessions overlap with high-biodiversity areas or watersheds important for communities and downstream ecosystems.
  • Rapid growth around Panama City and other hubs drives coastal development, wetland filling, and increased demand for water and infrastructure. Urban sprawl and tourism-related construction can fragment remaining natural habitats and elevate pollution loads entering coastal waters.
  • Runoff carrying sediments, nutrients, and agrochemicals affects rivers and coastal ecosystems; urban wastewater and solid waste can impact mangroves and reefs near population centers. Marine debris and oil/chemical spill risks are elevated due to intense shipping traffic linked to the Panama Canal.
  • Rising temperatures and shifting rainfall patterns increase drought frequency and water-supply stress in the Canal watershed (with knock-on economic and ecological impacts). Sea-level rise and stronger storms threaten low-lying coasts and mangroves; coral reefs face bleaching risk, and changing ocean conditions can shift fish distributions and productivity.
  • Fishing pressure on coastal and pelagic species (including sharks and other high-trophic-level species) can reduce ecosystem resilience. In some areas, illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing and weak compliance undermine fish stocks and the benefits of marine protected areas.
  • Illegal trade affects reptiles, birds, and other wildlife (live animals and parts), facilitated by transport networks and cross-border routes. This can compound pressure on already fragmented populations and reduce local wildlife abundance.
  • Subsistence and opportunistic hunting in rural/remote areas can depress populations of large-bodied mammals and game birds, especially where roads increase access. Predator persecution may also occur when big cats are perceived as threats to livestock.
  • Conflicts occur where jaguars and pumas prey on cattle in ranching frontiers, leading to retaliatory killings. Crop raiding and resource competition can also increase tensions at forest edges, making connectivity conservation and livestock-management measures crucial.
  • Invasive plants and animals can affect island and coastal ecosystems and disturbed habitats. Maritime traffic and trade increase introduction pathways, and invasives can alter habitats, compete with native species, or spread disease.
  • Wildlife disease risks include amphibian declines associated with chytrid fungus in highland/cloud forest regions, which has contributed to population crashes in sensitive species. Disease pressure can be amplified by climate shifts and habitat stress.
  • Tourism and recreational use-if poorly managed-can disturb nesting beaches, sensitive bird habitats, and marine wildlife. Boat traffic, noise, and increased visitation can affect coastal and island ecosystems, especially in high-demand destinations.
  • Alteration of river flows, wetlands, and coastal systems (e.g., drainage, channel modification, shoreline hardening) reduces habitat quality for aquatic species and mangroves. Watershed management choices tied to canal operations and regional development can reshape freshwater ecosystems.
Visit

Wildlife Tourism

Panama is one of the most wildlife-rich countries in the Americas thanks to its position as a land bridge between North and South America and its mix of rainforests, cloud forests, mangroves, and two-ocean coastlines. Wildlife tourism is a major pillar of nature-based travel here-supporting national parks, Indigenous/community-guided tourism, lodges, and local guiding in birding, whale watching, turtle conservation, and rainforest excursions. Panama's conservation story is closely tied to protecting the Canal watershed (notably in Soberanía and Chagres), with decades of research and monitoring around sites like Barro Colorado Island helping make the country a global biodiversity hotspot. Accessibility is a big advantage: you can see excellent wildlife within 1-2 hours of Panama City (e.g., Pipeline Road/Gamboa), while more remote "bucket list" areas like Darién and Coiba reward longer travel with rarer species and fewer crowds. Infrastructure is generally strong around the Canal zone, highlands (Boquete/Volcán), and Bocas del Toro; remote regions may require domestic flights, 4x4 travel, or boats, and some areas (especially Darién) benefit from experienced operators and up-to-date security/logistics planning.

Best Time to Visit

Practical wildlife calendar (by season/month):
- January-March (dry season peak): Best for hiking and canopy/forest walks with easier trails and fewer rain disruptions. Strong birding in the Canal zone; great visibility for snorkeling/diving on calmer days. Humpback whales from the Northern Hemisphere are often present on the Pacific side during this period (timing varies by year/area).
- April-May (shoulder into rainy season): Lush forests return, excellent for amphibians and reptiles as rains begin. Many birds are active; photography can be superb with dramatic skies.
- July-October (prime whale season on the Pacific): Peak humpback whale watching (especially July-September; can extend into October/November). Also good for marine megafauna encounters on the Pacific, including around Coiba.
- July-November (turtle nesting highlights, varies by coast/species): Key months for sea turtle nesting and hatchling events in select Caribbean and Pacific sites (specific timing depends on species and beach). Plan with ethical conservation programs.
- September-October (often a "mini-dry" on the Caribbean side): Bocas del Toro and parts of the Caribbean frequently see calmer, clearer conditions for snorkeling/diving and coastal wildlife.
- November-December (transition to dry season): Rivers and forests still productive; migrating birds and raptors can be excellent. Trail conditions start improving as rains ease.
Notes: Panama's climate differs by region-Pacific tends to have a more pronounced dry season; the Caribbean can be wetter year-round. For rare-flagship species (harpy eagle, jaguar), timing matters less than choosing the right habitat, guides, and multi-day effort.

Top Wildlife Experiences

  • Dawn birding on Pipeline Road (Soberanía National Park) with a specialist guide, targeting trogons, motmots, manakins, toucans, and mixed flocks-then returning at dusk for nocturnal species and frog calls.
  • Gamboa Rainforest boat safari on the Panama Canal/Chagres River margins: scan shoreline trees for sloths, mantled howler monkeys, capuchins, crocodiles/caimans, and river birds while transiting quiet backwaters.
  • Nocturnal rainforest walk near Gamboa or in the highlands: spotlight for red-eyed tree frogs, glass frogs, owls, kinkajous, sleeping birds, and other night-active mammals and insects.
  • Whale-watching by boat in the Gulf of Chiriquí (Pacific) during peak season (typically July-September), combining whales with dolphins, seabirds, and remote-island beaches; choose operators with best-practice distance and speed protocols.
  • Multi-day island-hopping and snorkeling/kayaking in Coiba National Park: look for reef sharks, rays, sea turtles, large schools of fish, and seasonal humpback whales-often with clearer wildlife focus and fewer crowds than many mainland beaches.
  • Ethical sea turtle conservation night patrol (seasonal) on a community-run beach program: accompany trained rangers to observe nesting, learn monitoring methods, and (when appropriate) witness hatchling releases without handling or flashlights.
  • Cloud forest hike in the highlands (Boquete/Volcán/Barú area) to seek resplendent quetzals and other montane specialties; pair with early-morning observation at fruiting trees or known quetzal routes.
  • Mangrove boat or kayak safari (Pacific or Caribbean) at high tide: quietly paddle channels for herons, kingfishers, crabs, iguanas, and nursery habitats for juvenile fish; excellent for photography and natural history interpretation.
  • Sloth-and-dolphin day on the Caribbean side (e.g., Bocas del Toro area): combine mangrove-boardwalk/boat viewing for sloths and birds with open-water dolphin sightings and snorkeling in seagrass/reef habitats (conditions vary by month).
  • Remote-wilderness expedition to Darién with an experienced outfitter: multi-day rainforest/river travel focused on primates, macaws, tapirs (rarely seen), and the possibility (never guaranteed) of elusive big cats; strong emphasis on logistics, permits, and local/Indigenous guiding partnerships.

Safari Types Available

  • Guided rainforest walks (day hikes focused on birds, primates, and forest ecology)
  • Birding safaris (specialist-led, dawn-to-dusk, often with scope use and stakeouts)
  • Night safaris (nocturnal walks/spotlighting for amphibians, insects, and mammals)
  • Boat safaris (Panama Canal watershed, rivers, mangroves, and coastal lagoons)
  • Whale-watching cruises (Pacific seasonal humpbacks; sometimes combined with dolphins and seabirding)
  • Snorkel/diving wildlife trips (reef fish, rays, sharks, turtles-especially around islands like Coiba and Caribbean reefs when conditions are good)
  • Kayak/canoe safaris (quiet mangrove and coastal paddling for birds and marine life)
  • Canopy experiences (aerial tram/zipline/canopy towers for mid- and upper-canopy wildlife viewing)
  • Turtle conservation experiences (seasonal, ranger-led monitoring and education with strict ethics)
  • Multi-day expedition travel (remote rainforest/Indigenous territory trips, often combining river transport and trekking)
Fun Facts

Did You Know?

You can see humpback whales twice a year in Panama's Pacific waters: migrants from both the Northern Hemisphere (winter) and Southern Hemisphere (austral winter) use the region, creating two distinct whale seasons.

Panama City has a true tropical rainforest park inside the metro area: Metropolitan Natural Park is minutes from downtown and still hosts wildlife like sloths, monkeys, and toucans-an unusual setup for a capital city.

The Panama Canal reshaped wildlife research: the flooding that formed Gatun Lake created Barro Colorado Island, which became one of the world's most intensively studied tropical forest sites (run by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute).

Panama's iconic "golden frog" isn't technically a frog: the Panamanian golden frog (Atelopus zeteki) is a harlequin toad, and it has become a global symbol of amphibian declines because chytrid fungus wiped out many wild populations-survival now relies heavily on conservation breeding.

World-record bird count: the Panama Canal Zone Audubon Christmas Bird Count has posted the highest species total ever recorded on a CBC-382 species reported in 2013-helped by hotspots like Soberanía National Park's Pipeline Road.

Bird-diversity heavy-hitter by area: Panama (about 75,000 km²) has documented roughly 1,000+ bird species-nearly as many as the United States-packed into a country smaller than South Carolina.

Home to the harpy eagle, one of the world's largest and most powerful eagles (and the largest eagle in the Americas by mass); Panama is a key range country and even names it as the national bird.

Big marine protection on the Pacific: Coiba National Park and its Special Zone of Marine Protection is one of the largest marine protected areas in the Tropical Eastern Pacific-famous for large pelagics like sharks and manta rays and recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

There are many animals native to Panama. The diversity of the land results in a range of amphibians, birds, mammals, and other animals. The country is home to over 970 species of birds, the most of any country in Central America.

National Animal

Golden Mantella isolated against white background.

The Golden Mantella is a type of frog that lives in Panama and is its official national animal.

©Eric Isselee/Shutterstock.com

The official national animal of Panama is the golden frog. Residents consider this amphibian to be good luck. The golden frog is recognizable if you know what to look for. It has a slim body and black spots on its bright yellow body.

National Bird

The harpy eagle is the national bird of Panama as a symbol of strength and power.

©MarcusVDT/Shutterstock.com

The national bird of Panama is the harpy eagle, a large raptor with a wingspan that typically measures more than 6 feet. Standing 3 to 3.5 feet tall, the harpy eagle has black wings, a white chest and gray head with ornamental feathers that can be spread out or lay flat. Its powerful talons are thicker than that of hawks. The talons are also very long, reaching 5 inches — that’s as big as a bear claw! They are used to capture prey up to 20 pounds, which the harpy eagle can tear apart using its sharp curved beak. The harpy eagle lives in the rainforest.

While the macaw, quetzal, and owl would all have been good choices, the harpy eagle is the largest eagle in the Americas, so it embodies the strength and power that Panama represents. This is the bird displayed on the national emblem of the country.

Where To Find The Top Wildlife in Panama

Geoffroy's tamarin

Geoffroys Tamarin is a unique priimate species in Panama, located in the lowland forest.

©Brian Gratwicke / Creative Commons – Original

Many of the unique primate species of animals in Panama are located in the lowland forest. The Geoffroy’s tamarin is one such creature. They assemble in groups of up to 40, making up for their small size with a distinctive voice. Catch sight of them at the Darien, the Monumento Nacional Isla Barro Colorado, and the Parque Natural Metropolitano.

Nearly any area of the country offers a wide selection of animals native to Panama. The lowland forests are home to the many varieties of monkeys that make their home in Panama, while you can catch sight of the big cats in the jungle.

There are many Panama animals to see in coastal areas as well. You may get the treat of seeing one of the five varieties of sea turtles that make their home here. Looking out to sea, you may catch sight of bottlenose dolphins. The lucky may spot killer, sperm, or humpback whales in the waters off the coast.

Of course, you can always go to a zoo to be sure that you see some interesting animals. Two that are well recommended are the Buenaventura Zoo (Conservation Center), which works for the protection and care of the region’s fauna, and Raquel’s Ark, an exotic animal rescue center.

Most Dangerous Animals

jaguarundi peeking around a tree

A jaguarundi is more elusive than dangerous.

©iStock.com/slowmotiongli

If you are looking for the most dangerous animals here, you may hope to see the elusive big cats that make Panamanian jungles their home. The jaguar, which is the largest of the cats in the Americas, is found here, as are ocelots, margays, pumas, and jaguarundis. While dangerous when encountered, the likelihood of running into these elusive creatures is minimal.

Other than the big cats, there are several other species to avoid, big and small.

  • Painful, venomous, and sometimes deadly bites: black widow and brown recluse spiders, the bullet ant, and coral snakes.
  • Infectious, disease-carrying bites: mosquitos and vampire bats.
  • Big bites! Sharks in the ocean waters on either side of Panama.

Endangered Animals

Blue Whale under water with sun light streaming down from the surface above

The Blue Whale is an endangered species in Panamanian waters.

©Atomic Roderick/Shutterstock.com

Many endangered species make their home in Panama. They include the glow-throated hummingbird, web-footed salamander, Azuero parakeet, Blue whale, Coiba Island Howler Monkey, Coiban Agouti (endemic), Dice’s cottontail, Ender’s small-eared shrew, red-backed squirrel monkey, and Polkadot poison frog.

It is important to protect these species, so they don’t go the way of extinct animals. The list of extinct animals includes the Caribbean monk seal, which was declared extinct in 2008.

Rarest

Olingo

An olingo is similar to a racoon but lives in trees.

©Martin Pelanek/Shutterstock.com

The Chiriqui Olingo is a cousin of the raccoon, but it lives in trees and can release a horrible scent from its glands like a skunk does. The species is rare in two ways: it is endemic to Panama, so it is not found anywhere else, and its habitat is restricted to one area only in Panama. As a result, very little is known about this animal.

Largest

The Hampback whale is the largest animal in Panamanian territory.

©Imagine Earth Photography/Shutterstock.com

Besides the big cats mentioned under “Dangerous” animals, there is the spectacled bear that certainly qualifies as a large animal. There are also several species each of monkeys, squirrels, large rats, and the copybara, gray fox, bush dog, coyote, otter, and raccoon. Besides the rainforests, though, are those oceans on either side of Panama that have the biggest creatures of all: whales! In addition, the oceans are home to dolphins, sharks, sea turtles, manta rays, and some sizeable game fish like the marlin.

Fish

A Mahi Mahi swims in front of a boat

Mahi Mahi, which swim off the coast of Panama, are also called dophinfish because they often swim in front of boats.

©FtLaud/Shutterstock.com

Perhaps the most famous feature of Panama, the Panama Canal, is an artificial waterway that links the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The country lies between both bodies of water, giving it access to a vastly diverse area of aquatic species.

Discover eight spectacular fish found in Panama at this link to get a sample of the colorful and amazing fish found off its coasts: common dolphinfish (AKA mahi-mahi), cubera snapper, common sawfish, trumpetfish, Atlantic thresher shark, spotted hatchetfish, swordsnout grenadier, and coral hawkfish.

Flag

Panama flag

The Panama flag features red, white, and blue along with two stars.

©Osman Bugra Nuvasil/Shutterstock.com

The flag of Panama contains four equally sized rectangles. Two rectangles are white, alongside one blue and one red. Both white rectangles have a blue or red star in the center. Red reflects the liberal party, while blue stands for the conservative party. White represents peace and purity. In terms of the stars, the blue one represents honesty and the red one represents the law.

Animals Found in Panama

327 species documented in our encyclopedia

Acadian Flycatcher Africanized bee (killer bee) Agouti Amazon Parrot Amberjack American Eel Anhinga Anole Lizard Anteater Armadillo Armored Catfish Armyworm Banana Eel Banana Spider Banjo Catfish Barn Swallow Basilisk Lizard Bat Bearded Fireworm Bee Belted Kingfisher Black and White Warbler Black Swallowtail Caterpillar Black Widow Spider Black Witch Moth Black-Bellied Whistling Duck Blackburnian Warbler Blacknose Shark Blacktip Shark  Blind Snake Blue Grosbeak Blue Tanager (Blue-Grey Tanager) Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher Bluegill Boas Bobolink Bonefish Bonnethead Shark Booby Box Jellyfish Boxfish Bull Shark Bumblebee Burrowing Owl Bush Dog Bushmaster Snake Butterfly Fish Caecilian Caiman Camel Spider Capuchin Cardinals Caribbean Reef Shark Cascabel Cat-Eyed Snake Cedar Waxwing Chestnut-Sided Warbler Chipping Sparrow Chiton Cichlid Coati Collared Peccary Common Yellowthroat Conure Cooper's Hawk Coral Snake Corn Earworm Cougar Coyote Crab Crab-Eating Fox Cricket Crocodile Crocodylomorph Cubera Snapper Cuckoo Damselfish Darkling Beetle Death's Head Cockroach Deer Dire Wolf Dobsonfly Dolphin Dried Fruit Moth Eagle Ray Eastern Cottontail Eastern Kingbird Eastern Meadowlark Egret Elephant Beetle Emerald Toucanet Executioner Wasp Eyelash Viper Fer-de-lance Snake Fiddler Crab Finch Fishing Spiders Flamingo Flycatcher Flying Squirrel Freshwater Eel Frigatebird Fritillary Butterfly Frog Fulvous Whistling Duck Garden Spider Geoffroys Tamarin Ghost Crab Giant African Land Snail Glass Frog Glass Lizard Golden Tortoise Beetle Goliath Grouper Gopher Gray Catbird Gray Fox Great Blue Heron Great Crested Flycatcher Great Egret Great Hammerhead Shark Great Kiskadee Great Potoo Bird Grebe Green Heron Grouper Fish Hairy Frogfish Hairy Woodpecker Harpy Eagle Harris's Hawk Hawk Hepatic Tanager (Red Tanager) Hercules Beetle Hogfish Honduran White Bat Honey Bee House wren Howler Monkey Humboldt Squid Hummingbird Humpback Whale Huntsman Spider Ibis Iguana Indianmeal Moth Jabiru Jacana Jack Crevalle Jaguar Jaguarundi Cat Keel-Billed Toucan Kentucky Warbler Kestrel Killdeer King Mackerel King Snake King Vulture Kingfisher Kinkajou Kissing Bugs Knifefish Lace Bug Ladyfish Leafcutter Ant Leafcutter Bee Lemon Shark Lionfish Lipstick Albino Boa Lizard Lizardfish Loach Locust Macaw Magnolia Warbler Manatee Mangrove Snapper Manta Ray Margay Marine Toad Marmoset Megalodon Mexican Free-Tailed Bat Mississippi Kite Mojarra Molly Monarch Butterfly Monkey Morpho Butterfly Mountain Lion Mourning Dove Mourning Warbler Muscovy Duck Mussurana Snake Night Heron Nightjar Northern Harrier Northern Jacana Northern Parula Northern Potoo Nurse Shark Ocean Whitefish Ocelot Olingo Opossum Orange-Crowned Warbler Orchard Oriole Otter Ovenbird Owl Butterfly Owlfly (Ascalaphidae) Painted Bunting Panther Parrot Parrot Snake Parrotfish Parrotlet Peacock Bass Peregrine Falcon Pheasant Pied-Billed Grebe Piranha Pit Viper Poison Dart Frog Pond Skater Porcupinefish Potoo Puma Purple Gallinule Quail Quetzal Raccoon Red-Eyed Tree Frog Red-Footed Tortoise Red-winged blackbird Rhino Beetle Ring-billed Gull Ringed Kingfisher River Turtle Rose-Breasted Grosbeak Roseate Spoonbill Ruby-Crowned Kinglet Ruby-Throated Hummingbird Ruddy Duck Ruddy Turnstone Salamander Sand Crab Sand Tiger Shark Sardines Saturniidae Moth Savannah Sparrow Sawfish Scarlet Macaw Scarlet Tanager Scorpion Scorpion Fish Sea Bass Sea Roach Sea Snake Sequined Spider Sharp-Shinned Hawk Sheepshead Fish Shrew Six-Eyed Sand Spiders Skink Lizard Skunk Sloth Smooth Hammerhead Shark Snook Fish Spanish Mackerel Sparrow Spider Monkey Spider Wasp Spinner Shark Spitting Cobra Squirrel Squirrel Monkey Squirrelfish Stag Beetle Stork Summer Tanager Surgeonfish Swainson's Hawk Swallow Swallowtail Butterfly Tailless Whip Scorpion Tamarin Tapir Tarantula Tarantula Hawk Tarpon Termite Tetra Thrush Toucan Tree Frog Tree swallow Treehopper Triggerfish Turkey Vulture Turtles Umbrellabird Vampire Bat Vermilion Flycatcher Vine Snake Vinegaroon Viper Vulture Warbler Wattled Jacana Weasel Western Kingbird Western Tanager Whimbrel Whiptail Lizard White-Eyed Vireo White-Faced Capuchin White-tail deer Whitetail Deer Wild Boar Willow Flycatcher Woodpecker Yarara Yellow Spotted Lizard Yellow Tanager (Black-and-Yellow Tanager) Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker Yellowtail Snapper Yellowthroat Zebra Tarantula

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