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Below are photos of some of the reptiles and amphibians (Herps) we saw during our visits to Esquinas Rainforest Lodge and Bosque del Rio Tigre Lodge. The dry season isn't especially productive for amphibian watchers; nonetheless, some interesting species were in evidence. Thanks to Dr. Jay Savage for help with the identification of many of these species, to Liz, Abraham, and Michael at Rio Tigre for help there, and to Karen for finding the Fer-de-lance.
BUFONIDAE (TOADS)
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Young Incilius coniferus along a forest stream at Esquinas Rainforest Lodge (12 February 2009 left and 14 February 2009 right)
Breeding Incilius coniferus in a small ornamental garden pond at Esquinas Rainforest Lodge (16 February 2009)
DENDROBATIDAE (POISON DART FROGS)
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The highly poisonous Gulfo Dulce Poison Dart Frog (Phyllobates vittatus) is a specialty of southwestern Costa Rica. This one was on a small stream at Bosque del Rio Tigre (20 February 2009)
The non-poisonous Rainforest Rocket Frog (Silverstoneia flotator) on a stream at Esquinas Rainforest Lodge, (13 February 2009).
HYLIDAE (TREE FROGS)
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Images of the colorful Red-eyed tree frog (Agalychnis callidryas) adorn caps, mugs, T-shirts, and posters; indeed, it has become emblematic of rainforest conservation. These were at a garden pond at Esquinas Rainforest Lodge (13 February 2009 left and 16 February 2009 right).
The Gladiator Frog (Hypsiboas rosenbergi) is an especially large tree frog. These were on a building at Esquinas Rainforest Lodge (16 February 2009 above) and in secondary forest at Bosque del Rio Tigre (below)
CRAUGASTORIDAE (CRAUGASTORIDS)
Craugastor stejnegerianus on a narrow, shady stream, Bosque del Rio Tigre (20 February 2009)
Craugastor fitzingeri on a narrow, shady stream, Bosque del Rio Tigre (20 February 2009)
Craugastor fitzingeri on a narrow, shady stream, Bosque del Rio Tigre (20 February 2009)
Craugastor taurus at edge of secondary forest at Bosque del Rio Tigre (19 February 2009)
An unidentified frog, perhaps Craugastor stejnegerianus, on a narrow, shady stream, Bosque del Rio Tigre (20 February 2009)
LEPTODACTYLIDAE ("NEOTROPICAL FROGS")
Savage's Thin-toed Frog (Leptodactylus savagei) (formerly L. pentadactylus) is one of Costa Rica's largest amphibians. This one was on leaf litter in Secondary forest at Bosque del Rio Tigre (19 February 2009)
VIPERIDAE (VIPERS)
Reaching nearly eight feet in length, the Fer-de-lance (Bothrops asper) is responsible for nearly half the venomous snake bites in Costa Rica. This one was curled up among tree roots at the start of the Bird Trail, Esquinas Rain Forest Lodge (16 February 2009)
POLYCHROTIDAE (ANOLES)
Norops sp. Esquinas Rainforest Lodge (16 February 2009)
Golfo Dulce Anole Norops polylepis. Esquinas Rainforest Lodge (13 February 2009)
Golfo Dulce Anole Norops polylepis Esquinas Rainforest Lodge (15 February 2009).
Norops polylepis Bosque del Rio Tigre. Golfo Dulce Anole (above and below) (20 February 2009)
Big-headed Anole (Norops capito) (above and below) Bosque del Rio Tigre (19 February 2009)
CORYTOPHANIDAE (HELMETED OR CASQUE HEAD LIZARDS)
Helmeted Iguana (Corytophanes cristatus)
(the same individual on the same branch: above during the day and below at night) Bosque del Rio Tigre (20-above-and 19-below-February 2009)
GEKKONIDAE (GECKOS)
An Orange-headed gecko (Gonatodes albogularis) hunting bugs in the restaurant at Esquinas Rainforest Lodge (12 February 2009)
Lepidoblepharis xanthostigma at Bosque del Rio Tigre (20 February 2009)
A final as-yet unidentified frog from Esquinas Rainforest Lodge (14 February 2008)
Other websites that discuss reptiles and amphibians in SW Costa Rica include:
Don Roberson's December 2007 Costa Rica trip report
John Sullivan's September 2001 herping trip with GreenTracks
Anfibios de Sirena Photos
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© Robert A. Behrstock 2018
Images may not be reproduced without the Photographer's permission.