# Costa Rica Species

> An independent, open-access encyclopedia of Costa Rica's biodiversity — species,
> habitats, and protected areas — available in 6 languages (English, Spanish, French,
> Portuguese, German, Dutch). Content is curated by naturalists and conservationists
> with field expertise in Costa Rican biodiversity.

Costa Rica holds approximately 5% of global species in just 0.03% of the planet's land area,
making it one of the world's top biodiversity hotspots. This catalog covers 500+ species across
Animalia, Plantae, and Fungi, plus 19 habitat types and 30+ SINAC-managed protected areas.

Each species record includes: scientific classification, IUCN Red List status, common names
in all 6 languages, habitat summary, geographic range within Costa Rica, diet, behavior,
ecological relationships, and photography.

## Data Standards

- Scientific names follow binomial nomenclature: genus + specific epithet + authority + year. Example: *Panthera onca* Linnaeus, 1758.
- Conservation status uses IUCN Red List order: EX → EW → CR → EN → VU → NT → LC → DD → NE.
- Life zones follow the Holdridge system; Costa Rica contains 9 of 12 Holdridge zones.
- Protected areas use official SINAC nomenclature, organized into 11 conservation areas.
- URL pattern: `https://costaricaspecies.com/{lang}/{content-type}/{uuid}/{slug}` — swap `en` for any supported language code.

## Animalia (92 species listed)

- [Golden Toad (*Incilius periglenes*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/8026d16d-9d39-490f-ad68-ab3b6e6bd6c3/incilius-periglenes): Extinct, Bufonidae
- [Great Hammerhead (*Sphyrna mokarran*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/be8133a3-858e-46db-a1e5-8a0026414eae/sphyrna-mokarran): Critically Endangered, Sphyrnidae
- [Lemur leaf frog (*Agalychnis lemur*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/20e444ea-5c7c-4418-8bef-17b5fc85dcb6/agalychnis-lemur): Critically Endangered, Phyllomedusidae
- [Andi's Robber Frog (*Craugastor andi*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/e33e49aa-c528-453b-9170-8dc280ecb22a/craugastor-andi): Endangered, Craugastoridae
- [Blue Whale (*Balaenoptera musculus*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/baeac2c7-aa10-48d5-b727-15b49a41b0e1/balaenoptera-musculus): Endangered, Balaenopteridae
- [Blue-sided leaf frog (*Agalychnis annae*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/54ca4405-08f2-4f93-82e2-f6415f593479/agalychnis-annae): Endangered, Phyllomedusidae
- [Costa Rican brook frog (*Duellmanohyla uranochroa*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/e7747a52-3e92-418d-8089-19448d2b5a3c/duellmanohyla-uranochroa): Endangered, Hylidae
- [Bull Shark (*Carcharhinus leucas*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/9ae518c9-0ae1-4e5a-936b-90af464648e0/carcharhinus-leucas): Vulnerable, Carcharhinidae
- [Cubera Snapper (*Lutjanus cyanopterus*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/57d5253c-c8c0-467b-9e89-f0cad985aae6/lutjanus-cyanopterus): Vulnerable, Lutjanidae
- [Eastern Spotted Skunk (*Spilogale putorius*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/cdc68ab5-261c-4d50-acb9-bee8c3dc694f/spilogale-putorius): Vulnerable, Mephitidae
- [Goliath Grouper (*Epinephelus itajara*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/2921ee18-33fb-4b53-8d05-9742d66b9842/epinephelus-itajara): Vulnerable, Epinephelidae
- [Great White Shark (*Carcharodon carcharias*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/12aa3021-79f5-4ad0-b763-45ca2d738833/carcharodon-carcharias): Vulnerable, Lamnidae
- [Tarpon (*Megalops atlanticus*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/8c47d99b-98ca-41a6-8f54-119dc618fbb6/megalops-atlanticus): Vulnerable, Megalopidae
- [Brown Wood Turtle (*Rhinoclemmys annulata*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/e4b1aeca-d11e-4317-8bac-221cfe427a55/rhinoclemmys-annulata): Near Threatened, Geoemydidae
- [Cownose Ray (*Rhinoptera bonasus*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/66db68eb-3148-4014-a089-a5b6bc9591a5/rhinoptera-bonasus): Near Threatened, Rhinopteridae
- [Honduran White Bat (*Ectophylla alba*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/e62babd2-7e6e-49c3-8edb-57e1b2759b7a/ectophylla-alba): Near Threatened, Phyllostomidae
- [Jaguar (*Panthera onca*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/dceb59f2-c8ca-4d9b-a366-947a8067742a/panthera-onca): Near Threatened, Felidae
- [Painted Wood Turtle (*Rhinoclemmys pulcherrima*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/3ec7af3e-3e57-462b-adf2-0b9edd3dc743/rhinoclemmys-pulcherrima): Near Threatened, Geoemydidae
- [Rainbow Parrotfish (*Scarus guacamaia*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/d66e32b3-4305-41ab-b588-ea73cbecbee2/scarus-guacamaia): Near Threatened, Scaridae
- [Spectral Bat (*Vampyrum spectrum*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/440be44a-a869-48fb-9be6-c6ba7d8be1ad/vampyrum-spectrum): Near Threatened, Phyllostomidae
- [Tiger Shark (*Galeocerdo cuvier*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/aadade01-d058-46f3-8b25-e0bf098514ba/galeocerdo-cuvier): Near Threatened, Carcharhinidae
- [Acorn Woodpecker (*Melanerpes formicivorus*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/8a6a98ab-9a8e-494f-bba3-bd1deeecf172/melanerpes-formicivorus): Least Concern, Picidae
- [Adorned Graceful Brown Snake (*Rhadinaea decorata*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/a982af4e-34c2-4b6e-a112-d8ae1961b742/rhadinaea-decorata): Least Concern, Dipsadidae
- [Alfaro's Pygmy Squirrel (*Microsciurus alfari*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/c0b24c4e-9ec4-4bff-89ee-6995bde78a4f/microsciurus-alfari): Least Concern, Sciuridae
- [Allen's Coral Snake (*Micrurus alleni*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/07349c82-58b6-42ff-ae02-781c0927f680/micrurus-alleni): Least Concern, Elapidae
- [Argus Snail-eater (*Sibon argus*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/9bfa8ef4-4e58-48a4-8068-d619f0c0407f/sibon-argus): Least Concern, Dipsadidae
- [Baltimore Oriole (*Icterus galbula*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/2dd18490-9549-4056-9d46-200650a509a1/icterus-galbula): Least Concern, Icteridae
- [Banded Coffee Snake (*Ninia maculata*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/ff21d6c0-effb-4541-954d-4d202ba1b6de/ninia-maculata): Least Concern, Dipsadidae
- [Big-headed Robber Frog (*Craugastor megacephalus*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/f7643356-dfc3-4a96-a756-60d277b905d1/craugastor-megacephalus): Least Concern, Craugastoridae
- [Black Hawk-Eagle (*Spizaetus tyrannus*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/93ec6bd7-7ac5-4128-b9be-81c338639b92/spizaetus-tyrannus): Least Concern, Accipitridae
- [Black Myotis (*Myotis nigricans*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/78a73ab4-bbef-486e-97da-9b1566c1734d/myotis-nigricans): Least Concern, Vespertilionidae
- [Black-headed Snake (*Tantilla melanocephala*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/c1489f87-a24d-4835-af5d-449ada295677/tantilla-melanocephala): Least Concern, Colubridae
- [Blue marlin (*Makaira nigricans*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/6cc36eb7-8634-46f6-9867-d958e0e73600/makaira-nigricans): Least Concern, Istiophoridae
- [Blue-and-white Swallow (*Pygochelidon cyanoleuca*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/b615c43a-95f8-45d4-af10-e9351b8f71f3/pygochelidon-cyanoleuca): Least Concern, Hirundinidae
- [Brazilian Brown Bat (*Eptesicus brasiliensis*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/7374a493-72f4-4017-96de-001dca800466/eptesicus-brasiliensis): Least Concern, Vespertilionidae
- [Brazilian Free-tailed Bat (*Tadarida brasiliensis*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/9162feb9-1621-418c-bd05-d866b069bee3/tadarida-brasiliensis): Least Concern, Molossidae
- [Brilliant Forest Frog (*Lithobates warszewitschii*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/3dc8ff0d-18b0-478a-88b1-137ab2283fe6/lithobates-warszewitschii): Least Concern, Ranidae
- [Brown Forest Skink (*Sphenomorphus cherriei*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/319c6794-b83d-48d0-850c-3d306566e14f/sphenomorphus-cherriei): Least Concern, Scincidae
- [Brown Vine Snake (*Oxybelis aeneus*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/a9eb48bd-673a-48cc-9eea-746980009df8/oxybelis-aeneus): Least Concern, Colubridae
- [Cantil (*Agkistrodon bilineatus*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/b9927166-28c5-4112-acd5-5938ca315c2c/agkistrodon-bilineatus): Least Concern, Viperidae
- [Cat-eyed Snake (*Leptodeira septentrionalis*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/efe580fc-54ce-48fb-a647-b5025308050d/leptodeira-septentrionalis): Least Concern, Dipsadidae
- [Central American Cacomistle (*Bassariscus sumichrasti*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/745ffbff-75a0-4905-a94e-10b0d1131c49/bassariscus-sumichrasti): Least Concern, Procyonidae
- [Colombian Rainbow Boa (*Epicrates maurus*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/3273a340-bd42-48d2-af2d-bf8eb197c5c6/epicrates-maurus): Least Concern, Boidae
- [Colorado Snapper (*Lutjanus colorado*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/5c176bbf-2fe3-43fd-a07d-e693022ddb75/lutjanus-colorado): Least Concern, Lutjanidae
- [Commissaris's Long-tongued Bat (*Glossophaga commissarisi*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/8eedf1d7-7c09-407c-b86f-15419884de86/glossophaga-commissarisi): Least Concern, Phyllostomidae
- [Common Big-eared Bat (*Micronycteris microtis*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/630ef502-42f6-46e0-95d0-10295bb3cdaf/micronycteris-microtis): Least Concern, Phyllostomidae
- [Common Snook (*Centropomus undecimalis*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/d79c1894-7b87-4d5a-a032-10a8a2948502/centropomus-undecimalis): Least Concern, Centropomidae
- [Copper Anole (*Anolis cupreus*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/3f56afbf-06c6-409f-8d35-0dfd5a96f666/anolis-cupreus): Least Concern, Dactyloidae
- [Cortez Angelfish (*Pomacanthus zonipectus*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/fc9ff253-22ff-4430-9f24-7296ff27a958/pomacanthus-zonipectus): Least Concern, Pomacanthidae
- [Costa Rican Least Gecko (*Sphaerodactylus graptolaemus*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/99b3a04d-3f9f-4133-b805-d7b70ae5aa7f/sphaerodactylus-graptolaemus): Least Concern, Sphaerodactylidae
- [Costa Rican Zebra Tarantula (*Aphonopelma seemanni*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/42785b49-8430-4ac5-8852-44b2f6b6e709/aphonopelma-seemanni): Least Concern, Theraphosidae
- [Coues's Rice Rat (*Oryzomys couesi*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/5afe9959-d9d0-41ce-bc63-7636a4b2193f/oryzomys-couesi): Least Concern, Cricetidae
- [Crab-eating Raccoon (*Procyon cancrivorus*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/6cc5da5a-8d52-4749-94e6-776b565576c0/procyon-cancrivorus): Least Concern, Procyonidae
- [Crested Caracara (*Caracara cheriway*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/24c3ffc1-5e65-4ca1-aec1-ceaa856b8112/caracara-cheriway): Least Concern, Falconidae
- [Crevalle Jack (*Caranx hippos*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/a6e93263-0c8a-449a-979b-fa7754215381/caranx-hippos): Least Concern, Carangidae
- [Curlyhair tarantula (*Brachypelma albopilosum*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/aa4e86c4-9cea-442d-a1c9-d7ded417cb7d/brachypelma-albopilosum): Least Concern, Theraphosidae
- [Drab Tree Frog (*Smilisca sordida*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/5a46ee1f-9342-4973-8d4b-b75f88abb08a/smilisca-sordida): Least Concern, Hylidae
- [Eastern Cottontail (*Sylvilagus floridanus*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/e0e639eb-6a0f-41ce-b224-285afe022480/sylvilagus-floridanus): Least Concern, Leporidae
- [Eastern Meadowlark (*Sturnella magna*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/7d167bdc-02c1-4a03-8942-d02e7455a83a/sturnella-magna): Least Concern, Icteridae
- [Emerald Toucanet (*Aulacorhynchus prasinus*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/22e8b684-f36f-448f-aa0b-ee1fda83e775/aulacorhynchus-prasinus): Least Concern, Ramphastidae
- [Evergreen Toad (*Incilius coniferus*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/bfbab449-a56f-4fdd-b071-c6577acfe6fe/incilius-coniferus): Least Concern, Bufonidae
- [Faded Snake (*Coniophanes fissidens*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/6b5c8ceb-6c5b-4786-809d-a615b492581e/coniophanes-fissidens): Least Concern, Dipsadidae
- [False Coral Snake (*Erythrolamprus bizona*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/2e04b120-250e-405f-b8c3-339de26ed010/erythrolamprus-bizona): Least Concern, Dipsadidae
- [False Killer Whale (*Pseudorca crassidens*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/c3ac7900-c0d8-4cd5-bed1-984c96dae536/pseudorca-crassidens): Least Concern, Delphinidae
- [Fastidious Toad (*Cranopsis fastidiosa*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/a0233aed-0d23-471c-ba7d-eb88000dec9f/cranopsis-fastidiosa): Least Concern, Bufonidae
- [Forrer's Leopard Frog (*Lithobates forreri*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/e7c33c94-36aa-424b-b770-84c4edae79ea/lithobates-forreri): Least Concern, Ranidae
- [Giant Green Anole (*Anolis biporcatus*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/2498b054-d9dd-438c-8e5d-ba564435ef5a/anolis-biporcatus): Least Concern, Dactyloidae
- [Godman's Montane Pitviper (*Cerrophidion godmani*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/757c1260-b0eb-4891-83cd-65e8b3adf00b/cerrophidion-godmani): Least Concern, Viperidae
- [Golden-browed Chlorophonia (*Chlorophonia callophrys*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/a2a69401-a794-431f-826b-1962d348a1e4/chlorophonia-callophrys): Least Concern, Fringillidae
- [Gollmer's robber frog (*Craugastor gollmeri*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/a7ac7191-59cf-4bcf-a0ac-5d4ed78d1800/craugastor-gollmeri): Least Concern, Craugastoridae
- [Gray Fox (*Urocyon cinereoargenteus*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/7dbde6a5-48c1-488b-910b-e7cfa1fdb9e5/urocyon-cinereoargenteus): Least Concern, Canidae
- [Gray-breasted Martin (*Progne chalybea*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/10248dc2-f241-4c72-9fcf-8145078567fb/progne-chalybea): Least Concern, Hirundinidae
- [Great Barracuda (*Sphyraena barracuda*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/c2b085b1-2aff-43ef-b3b3-9410fae3c4b7/sphyraena-barracuda): Least Concern, Sphyraenidae
- [Great Egret (*Ardea alba*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/fbcfd2fa-9d03-4a78-b3d7-24f0c6ee1041/ardea-alba): Least Concern, Ardeidae
- [Great Fruit-eating Bat (*Artibeus lituratus*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/ce2b97f9-a73a-4ad1-b35e-a8897938a37b/artibeus-lituratus): Least Concern, Phyllostomidae
- [Great-tailed Grackle (*Quiscalus mexicanus*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/8e6fcf92-6afd-4608-917e-b0c865dc68a4/quiscalus-mexicanus): Least Concern, Icteridae
- [Greater White-lined Bat (*Saccopteryx bilineata*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/475b9b19-b9c2-4e32-b6c8-dfa418619ef1/saccopteryx-bilineata): Least Concern, Emballonuridae
- [Green Kingfisher (*Chloroceryle americana*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/d3a7f34b-88b3-4dcd-b52f-33ef8d47b65b/chloroceryle-americana): Least Concern, Alcedinidae
- [Guineafowl Puffer (*Arothron meleagris*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/da91cbaf-44ba-4749-ae0e-d999e0c48957/arothron-meleagris): Least Concern, Tetraodontidae
- [Günther's Graceful Brown Snake (*Urotheca guentheri*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/113b6c70-ce15-4bd1-8321-3796e170ee37/urotheca-guentheri): Least Concern, Dipsadidae
- [Helmeted Iguana (*Corytophanes cristatus*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/7766b365-6ee3-4f63-a43f-a50b4ab3f19d/corytophanes-cristatus): Least Concern, Corytophanidae
- [Hoffmann's Earth Snake (*Geophis hoffmanni*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/7fb74e61-3d54-40bc-89e6-d8a906173d68/geophis-hoffmanni): Least Concern, Dipsadidae
- [Hourglass tree frog (*Dendropsophus ebraccatus*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/d3e588d8-d4ba-4881-819f-361250bd6561/dendropsophus-ebraccatus): Least Concern, Hylidae
- [House Wren (*Troglodytes aedon*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/8bf274aa-b7ab-425e-9cb2-27dbd1e4a253/troglodytes-aedon): Least Concern, Troglodytidae
- [Jewel Moray (*Muraena lentiginosa*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/e75e2b0c-f721-4478-90ba-9abd157afd66/muraena-lentiginosa): Least Concern, Muraenidae
- [Jewel scarab (*Chrysina macropus*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/08af485b-3fbd-4b09-ad1f-7d7ee31022e7/chrysina-macropus): Least Concern, Scarabaeidae
- [Jumping Pitviper (*Atropoides nummifer*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/5b270dd6-1db7-4f48-8490-9506f28c0ddd/atropoides-nummifer): Least Concern, Viperidae
- [Laughing Gull (*Larus atricilla*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/8099dbb1-96f2-448f-818d-b443e1126fa0/larus-atricilla): Least Concern, Laridae
- [Lineated Woodpecker (*Dryocopus lineatus*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/723ecf2d-dd34-482e-a121-20fc1e602238/dryocopus-lineatus): Least Concern, Picidae
- [Litter Toad (*Rhaebo haematiticus*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/3effd3c6-ef96-4ccb-8f91-975cc57d2c9b/rhaebo-haematiticus): Least Concern, Bufonidae
- [Longspined Porcupinefish (*Diodon holocanthus*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/6ca69c3a-4e09-42e3-9c59-119772ffa107/diodon-holocanthus): Least Concern, Diodontidae
- [Mahi-mahi (*Coryphaena hippurus*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/4b2a26ac-1c0d-4c7b-bca1-63bc0da6204b/coryphaena-hippurus): Least Concern, Coryphaenidae

## Plantae (8 species listed)

- [Rapurahu Oak (*Quercus rapurahuensis*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/ecaa270b-a116-4cf8-9888-078bbae1cc85/quercus-rapurahuensis): Vulnerable, Fagaceae
- [Tiger Orchid (*Stanhopea tigrina*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/8aaa6905-0dff-47cf-9d50-0bcaba72053b/stanhopea-tigrina): Vulnerable, Orchidaceae
- [Bumelia-like Oak (*Quercus bumelioides*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/e91b1b80-c0db-40da-8b99-c3ce3496ac7a/quercus-bumelioides): Near Threatened, Fagaceae
- [Clamshell Orchid (*Prosthechea cochleata*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/938215e9-d97c-4ad0-becb-db176fb2f1df/prosthechea-cochleata): Least Concern, Orchidaceae
- [Coconut Pie Orchid (*Maxillaria tenuifolia*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/8aa38850-72bf-4358-9341-6f653a6be0b3/maxillaria-tenuifolia): Least Concern, Orchidaceae
- [Kandyan Dancer Orchid (*Oncidium sphacelatum*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/ef154d25-62c0-47d7-9041-3c6d8115ab69/oncidium-sphacelatum): Least Concern, Orchidaceae
- [Lady of the Night (*Brassavola nodosa*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/cb0d5f03-2261-4daa-b394-70e0d916a918/brassavola-nodosa): Least Concern, Orchidaceae
- [Large-flowered Sobralia (*Sobralia macrantha*)](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/species/c7ad806b-f81a-4e83-aa4e-8793870f8929/sobralia-macrantha): Least Concern, Orchidaceae

## Fungi (0 species listed)

- (no published records)

## Habitats (0 listed)

- (no published records)

## Protected Areas (0 listed)

- (no published records)

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- [Donate](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/donate): Support open-access biodiversity data for Costa Rica.
- [Become a member](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/become-a-member): Community membership and contributor programme.
- [Transparency](https://costaricaspecies.com/en/transparency): Financial transparency and organisational information.