Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
volcanic views of Granada & Cocibolca, dwarf
cloud forest, 100 species of orchid, fumeroles,
butterfly garden
Reserva Natural Volcán Mom-
bacho
hiking, camping, riding in
military transport
Reserva Natural Volcán
Cosigüina
volcanoes, hot springs, crater lakes, macaws, ar-
chaeological sites
hiking, camping, swimming,
thermal baths
Other visitors are more interested in the undersea wildlife, which on the Pacific side in-
cludes tuna, rooster fish and snook. Lago de Nicaragua and the Río San Juan have their
own scaly menagerie, including sawfish, the toothy gaspar, mojarra, guapote and, most
importantly, tarpon, as well as the extraordinary freshwater bull shark.
There are lots of reptiles, including five kinds of sea turtle, two kinds of iguana and
several snakes. When walking in rainforests, keep your eyes peeled for the feared ter-
cipelo (fer-de-lance, Bothrops Asper), the most dangerous snake in Central America. Un-
like many snakes found in the region, it is aggressive and often chooses to attack rather
than flee danger. It's common in the jungles of the Río San Juan. Other poisonous snakes
to look out for include the coral snake and the cascabel, a danger mostly to cattle.
Nicaragua also has plenty of scorpions, you´ll find them living in dark corners (they
love those atmospheric old houses), under rocks, in wood piles and on the beach. But
while they look mean, their sting is not lethal and is more like a hardcore bee sting.
Insects, of course, make up the vast majority of species, including over 1000 species of
butterflies. Tarantulas are common, but not deadly, and keep your eyes open for leaf-cutter
ants, which raise fungus for snacks beneath massive anthills the size of VW Beetles. Aca-
cia ants are hidden inside the hollow thorns of acacia trees - shake one of them and you'll
see several hundred swarming reasons why the plant goes to all the trouble. And the
weird-looking woody balls in the trees? Termites.
Endangered Species
Nicaragua has about 200 species on the endangered list, including sea turtles and iguanas,
both traditional food sources, as well as boa constrictors and alligators. Golden frogs and
blood frogs, like amphibians across the globe, are also dwindling. Endangered birds in-
clude quetzals, peregrine falcons and macaws, with two of Central America's last viable
populations in Reserva Natural Volcán Cosigüina and Reserva Biologica Indio-Maíz.
Several endangered or threatened mammals also make their homes here, including howler,
white-face and spider monkeys; several kinds of cats, including jaguars and mountain
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