Wildlife

=__ Introduction __= == Guatemala is home to a unique and diverse wildlife and is well know for its climate and lush forests and lakes. These forests and lakes together are home to many different species of mammals and even more species of birds. They also share many reptiles and amphibians in its jungles. Its oceans contain many exotic aquatic species too.

=__Rain forests__= The rain forests of Guatemala are one of its most astounding geographical features. They are one of the most diverse and extensive of Central America. Yet, sadly much of their rain forests are diminishing due to deforestation. They cover 15,205 square miles of land home to 1,246 different species of animals and 8,681 species of exotic plants.Of all of those 1,246 exotic animals, these are just a few...

The jaguar is one of the most majestic creatures of the Guatemalan ecosystem. The jaguar is a feline jungle animal about 124-211 pounds average with the figure of a large house cat. They are speckled with black dots against an orange to white background fur. Unlike the common house cat, Jaguars love swimming and will not hesitate to jump into the water. The Jaguar is the strongest cat in North and South America. They are carnivores and eat a variety of mammals, reptiles, and fish.
 * Jaguar**

The Spider Monkey has the strongest tail in the animal kingdom also allowing them to be the most agile monkey in the animal kingdom. The Spider Monkey's feet will rarely touch the ground they prefer to swing through the trees. Spider Monkeys are usually agitated when they come into any kind of human contact which makes them hide themselves deep in the forest. Spider Monkeys generally grow to be about 2 ft. and 2 in. tall and can live for 22 years.
 * Spider Monkey **

The green iguana is a species of iguana living in the tropical jungles in Guatemala. They are common to much of the country and are commonly kept as pets due to their coloring and tame nature. They grow to about 4.9 ft in length from head to tail but have been known to grow up to 6 ft and larger. They weigh about 20 lbs at adulthood. As herbivores, their diet consists mainly of vegetation but can eat insects and small animals Despite their name they come in many different colors including green, brown, black, gray, and even sometimes blue. Green iguanas are a wondrous addition to the Guatemalan ecosystem.
 * Green Iguana**

Red Eye Tree Frogs are often associated with being an iconic animal in the rain forests ecosystem. Scientists theorize that it developed its red eyes to scare predators away, or make them question what they are about to eat. A Red Eye Tree Frog may also be known as a Red Eye Leaf Frog and grows anywhere from 4 cm. to 7 cm. This frogs diet consits of crickets, moths, and flies. Despite its bright colors that might indicate a frog is posionous, this one is not.
 * Red Eye Tree Frog**

=__Aquatic Life__= The life of the waters surrounding Guatemala on its west side, its largest side, stretch for 155 miles of coast, perfect for aquatic life habitats. Yet its much shorter east, Caribbean Sea coast is part of a large, diverse, coral reef ecosystem.

The Sailfish is the fastest fish in the ocean and is known to leap out of the water at 68 miles per hour. Sailfish meat isn't really eaten much and does not appear in many restaurants. Sailfish however are valued game fish with expert anglers always looking for the biggest one out there. A Sailfish can grow any where from 5.7 ft. to 11 ft. and lives for 5 years.
 * Sail Fish **

Tarpon The Tarpon is an interesting fish and is found all over the world. They can grow five to eight feet long and weigh up to 280 pounds! A female tarpon can lay 12 million eggs that hatch in 20 to 30 days. A tarpon is considered to be one of the greatest game fishes. It's fighting ability is said to model that of a sailfish!
 * Tarpon**

Toad fish The toad fish is a totally different breed of fish compared to the tarpon and the sailfish. Unlike other fish this one waits for the pray. It's very passive and would rather lie around and wait for hours instead of chasing pray. It will cover itself in sand and lies in wait. Fish like these can go up to three days without eating and can wait in one spot without moving for hours.
 * Toadfish**

The River Shrimp or Cray fish is abundant in the lakes and rivers of Guatemala. These fish blend in with the bottom of rivers for an unsuspecting pray. When one swims by they grab it with their pincers to hold it in place. Cray fish are loners and will often fight other if one goes to close to enough to another one. Despite being loaners cray fish mate quite often.
 * River Shrimp**

=__Life in the Mountains__= The vast majority of Guatemalan landscape is covered by its mountain ranges. Two mountain ranges cross the country, splitting it several regions. The mountains of Guatemala contain 37 volcanoes, 4 of which are active. Several hundreds of species live in these mountains, these are just some of them..

The Jaguarundi or Erya Cat is one of the smallest cats in the wild-life that Guatemala has to offer. That does not mean however that this animal is inferior in any way. These animals are everywhere from the United States to the coast of Central America. Unfortunately these animals are poached often and have been hovered over slight concern of extinction before. As this animal grows older their hair color will change. These animals can develop a chestnut color if they live long enough.
 * Jaguarundi**

White-Nosed Coati's are interesting animals. They can be found at any altitude from sea level and above. These animals grow to 110 centimeters and half of that comes from their tail. Males (27 pounds) tend to weigh more than females (13 pounds) and are much larger too. There are so many of these guys they are the least concerned on the environmental endangered list.
 * White-Nosed Coati**

The Giant Palmed Footed Salamander is would be more likely mistaken for a tree frog if it didn't have its long tail. This like a tree frog due to the fact that it can climb through trees. It's colors are so that it can blend in to the ground to hide from predators. When it suspects the predators are unaware of its position it will escape with a quick burst of speed. By the time the predator realizes what has happened the salamander will be gone, hidden in a different spot.
 * Giant Palm Footed Salamander **

The Baird Tapir can live for 30 plus years. As a young animal the mother hides it in secluded location and returns to the hiding place to nurture it. Once it is three weeks old it follows its mother on feeding expeditions. It is here where the Tapir learns the skills it needs to survive. After it is done with childhood the Tapir matures and uses the skills it learned until it is time to mate. Once the mating is over the cycle begins all over again.
 * Baird’s Tapir**

=__Airborne Wildlife__=

 Roseate Spoonbills media type="custom" key="23111098" align="center"

Purple Gallinule

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Project by Daniel L, Will H, and Zach D June 4, 2013

//Jungles and Rainforests in Guatemala//. Digital image. //Interactive Jungle//. N.p., 23 Jan. 2012. Web. 22 May 2013. .

Video Came from "Roseate Spoonbill" <[]>

Second Video cam from " Purple Gallinule" < [] >

Check out more animals here!: (all images came from this site) "Guatemala's Wild Life." //Guatemala's Wild Life //. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Feb. 2013. .

To see where the facts came from: "Guatemala." //- Wildlife Conservation Society //. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Feb. 2013. .

To learn all about Guatemalan biomes click here!: "Guatemalan Biomes." //<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px;">Turismo SIGAP - Viaje Por Las Areas Protegidas De Guatemala - Los Siete Biomas De Guatemala //<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px;">. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Feb. 2013. <http://tourism-sigap.com/guatemala/guatemalas-seven-biomes>.