Overview

At the biological crossroads of the Americas, Costa Rica hosts an astonishing array of plants and animals - over half a million species! Ecotourists, birders, and biologists come from around the world to immerse themselves in the country's unspoiled rain forests, mountains, and beaches, drawn by the likelihood of seeing more than three or four hundred species of birds and other animals during even a short stay. To help all of these visitors and local residents identify and enjoy the wildlife of Costa Rica, this field guide presents nearly three hundred species of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, butterflies, moths, and other invertebrates. Carrol Henderson, an experienced wildlife biologist, traveller, and tour leader in Costa Rica, has chosen the species that ecotourists are most likely to see, along with a selection of rarer, sought-after animals. He gives a general introduction to each group of animals, followed by individual species accounts that highlight identification features and interesting ecological adaptations for survival. His stunning close-up photographs and distribution maps complete each entry. In addition, Henderson includes a wealth of data about Costa Rica's natural environment, as well as a trip preparation checklist and lists of conservation organisations, wildlife tourism sites, and wildlife vocalisation tapes and CDs. With so much information so readily and readably accessible, this field guide will be essential for planning and enjoying your time in Costa Rica. Carrol L. Henderson, a professional wildlife biologist, has made over twenty-five trips to Costa Rica since 1969 and has led over thirty-five birding and wildlife tours there and throughout Latin America since 1987. He lives in Blaine, Minnesota.

Full Product Details

Author:   Carrol L. Henderson ,  Steve Adams ,  Alexander F. Skutch
Publisher:   University of Texas Press
Imprint:   University of Texas Press
Dimensions:   Width: 15.20cm , Height: 4.40cm , Length: 22.90cm
Weight:   1.297kg
ISBN:  

9780292734593

ISBN 10:   029273459
Pages:   560
Publication Date:   01 June 2002
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Out of Print
Availability:   In Print  
Limited stock is available. It will be ordered for you and shipped pending supplier's limited stock.

Table of Contents

* Foreword by Alexander F. Skutch * Preface * Acknowledgments * About the Author * Introduction * Historical Perspective * Research * Education * Preservation * Conservation * Nature Tourism * Geography * Biogeography * Migratory Birds * Endemic Species * Endemic Wildlife of the Highlands * Endemic Species of the Southern Pacific Lowlands * Endemic Species of Cocos Island * Major Biological Zones * Tropical Dry Forest * Southern Pacific Lowlands * Central Plateau (Central Valley) * Caribbean Lowlands * Highlands * Coastal Beaches and Mangrove Lagoons * Wildlife Overview and Species Coverage * Butterflies and Moths * Swallowtail Family (Papilionidae) * Brush-footed Butterfly Family (Nymphalidae) * Giant Silkworm Moth Family (Saturniidae) * Noctuid Moth Family (Noctuidae) * Uranlid Moth Family (Uraniidae) * Other Invertebrates * Bee Family (Apidae) * Ant Family (Formicidae) * Long-horned Beetle Family (Cerambycidae) * Beetle Family (Scarabaeidae) * Dobson Fly Family (Corydalidae) * Katydid Family (Tettigoniidae) * Orb-weaver Spider Family (Araneidae) * Giant Damselfly Family (Pseudostigmatidae) * Rock Runner Crab Family (Grapsidae) * Land Crab Family (Gecarcinidae) * Amphibians * Leptodactylid Frog Family (Leptodactylidae) * Toad Family (Bufonidae) * Hylid Frog Family (Hylidae) * Poison Dart Frog Family (Dendrobatidae) * Glass Frog Family (Centrolenidae) * Reptiles * Leatherback Turtle Family (Dermochelyidae) * Hard-shelled Sea Turtle Family (Cheloniidae) * Mud Turtle Family (Kinosternidae) * Semiaquatic Pond Turtle Family (Emydidae) * Lizard Family (Iguanidae) * Teiid Lizard Family (Teiidae) * Constrictor Family (Boidae) * Colubrid Snakes (Colubridae) * Viper Family (Crotalidae) * Coral Snake Family (Micruridae) * Crocodile Family (Crocodylidae) * Birds * Tinamou Family (Tinamidae) * Pelican Family (Pelecanidae) * Cormorant Family (Phalacrocoracidae) * Anhinga Family (Anhingidae) * Frigatebird Family (Fregatidae) * Heron Family (Ardeidae) * Stork Family (Ciconiidae) * American Vulture Family (Cathartidae) * Ibis and Spoonbill Family (Threskiornithidae) * Duck Family (Anatidae) * Osprey Family (Pandionidae) * Accipiter Family (Accipitridae) * Falcon Family (Falconidae) * Chachalaca, Guan, and Curassow Family (Cracidae) * Rail Family (Rallidae) * Sunbittern Family (Eurypygidae) * Jacana Family (Jacanidae) * Oystercatcher Family (Haematopodidae) * Stilt Family (Recurvirostridae) * Thick-knee Family (Burhinidae) * Plover Family (Charadrlidae) * Sandpiper Family (Scolopacidae) * Gull and Tern Family (Laridae) * Dove and Pigeon Family (Columbidae) * Parrot Family (Psittacidae) * Cuckoo Family (Cuculidae) * Owl Family (Strigidae) * Potoo Family (Nyctiblidae) * Nighthawk Family (Caprimulgidae) * Hummingbird Family (Trochilidae) * Trogon Family (Trogonidae) * Kingfisher Family (Alcedinidae) * Motmot Family (Momotidae) * Jacamar Family (Galbulidae) * Puffbird Family (Bucconidae) * Toucan Family (Ramphastidae) * Woodpecker Family (Picidae) * Woodcreeper Family (Dendrocolaptidae) * Antbird Family (Thamnophilidae) * Tityra Family (Tityridae) * Manakin Family (Pipridae) * Flycatcher Family (Tyrannidae) * Swallow Family (Hirundinidae) * Jay Family (Corvidae) * Dipper Family (Cinclidae) * Wren Family (Troglodytidae) * Thrush and Robin Family (Turdidae) * Silky-flycatcher Family (Ptilogonatidae) * Bananaquit Family (Coerebidae) * Warbler Family (Parulidae) * Blackbird and Oriole Family (Icteridae) * Tanager Family (Thraupidae) * Saltator, Grosbeak, and Finch Family (Emberizidae) * Mammals * Opossum Family (Didelphidae) * Porcupine Family (Erethizontidae) * Sheath-tailed Bat Family (Emballonuridae) * Leaf-nosed Bat Family (Phyllostomidae) * New World Monkey Family (Cebidae) * Anteater Family (Myrmecophagidae) * Sloth Family (Bradypodidae) * Armadillo Family (Dasypodidae) * Squirrel Family (Sciuridae) * Cavy Family (Dasyproctidae) * Weasel Family (Mustelidae) * Raccoon Family (Procyonidae) * Cat Family (Felidae) * Peccary Family (Tayassuidae) * Deer Family (Cervidae) * Tapir Family (Tapiridae) * Baleen Whale Family (Balaenopteridae) * Glossary * Appendix A. Costa Rica Conservation Organizations and Field Stations * Appendix B. Wildlife Tourism Sites and Field Stations Referred to in the Distribution Maps * Appendix C. Wildlife Vocalization Tapes and CDs * Appendix D. Costa Rican Trip Preparation Checklist * Index

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Author Information

Carrol L. Henderson, a professional wildlife biologist, has made over twenty-five trips to Costa Rica since 1969 and has led over thirty-five birding and wildlife tours there and throughout Latin America since 1987. He lives in Blaine, Minnesota.

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