Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Mammals
Very few of the land mammals that make their home in Puerto Rico are native to the island;
most mammal species - from cows to rats - have been accidentally or intentionally intro-
duced to the island over the centuries. Of these, rodents are by far the most common animal
- scientists estimate that they account for more than 40% of mammals here.
Bats are the only native terrestrial mammal in Puerto Rico. They exist in large numbers
in the caves of karst country, but most travelers will only catch glimpses at dusk while vis-
iting Bosque Estatal de Cambalache or the Cavernas del Río Camuy.
But bats and rats aren't the only land mammals, and certainly not the most graceful;
Puerto Rico is also home to the distinctive Paso Fino horse, a small-boned, easy-gaited
variety. The Paso Finos have been raised in Puerto Rico since the time of the Spanish con-
quest, when they were introduced to the New World to supply the conquistadores on their
expeditions throughout Mexico and the rest of the Americas. They now number 8000 and
are unique to Puerto Rico. The horses are most dramatic on the island of Vieques, where
they roam in semiwild herds on vast tracts of exmilitary land. Every March, the southern
city of Guayama celebrates these animals with parades and rodeo events.
Other mammals of interest to travelers are two small colonies of monkeys, both intro-
duced by scientists. The first lives off Vieques on the 39-acre Cayo Santiago where a group
of rhesus monkeys arrived for scientific study in 1938. Today they've burgeoned into a
community of more than 900 primates. The second scientific monkey colony that grew out
of control is on Isla de Monos off La Parguera, which is a standard part of the tour of the
mangrove canals.
HIKING FOR THE BIRDS
Though land mammals are rare in Puerto Rico, exotic birdlife is abundant, with more
than 250 species, 11 of which are endemic and 10 endangered, including the ex-
tremely illusive Puerto Rican parrot. The most obvious destination for budding orni-
thologists is El Yunque National Forest, situated close to the capital. The El Portal
Visitors Center (
Click here
) on Hwy 191 has good, basic information on the local
birdlife.
The island's richest species diversity can be spied in the Cabo Rojo area, particu-
larly around Las Salinas salt flats, where migratory birds from as far away as Canada
populate a unique and highly varied ecosystem. Call in at the Centro Interpretativos
Las Salinas de Cabo Rojo (
Click here
) to speak with informed local experts.
