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Nature Reserve & Biological Station

Flora & Fauna

 

A walk through the Un poco del Chocó Nature Reserve is a discovery journey through the montane rainforest. Tree ferns, giant arum plants, palms, bromeliads, orchids and a variety of other typical montane rainforest vegetation make it the perfect place for lots of animals.

 

On a stroll through the forest you might…

…find the nut of the Tagua palm, known as Ecuador’s natural ivory, which is used for ecological jewelry by the local community.

…pass a Strangler fig which attracts noisy groups of White-fronted Capuchin monkeys and Bronze-winged Parrots when fruiting.

Hummingbird visiting flower in nature reserve and biological station in Ecuador South America

…observe a White-whiskered Hermit visiting an Erica, Gesneria or bromeliad flower on its traplining route.

Giant leaf in nature reserve and biological station in Ecuador South America

…cover from rain with the giant leaf of an arum plant (Xantosoma sp.), also called the umbrella plant or elephant ear.

Tree ferns in nature reserve and biological station in Ecuador South America

…see some tree ferns, a very ancient plant family that evolved by the time of the dinosaurs.

Golden Tanager in nature reserve and biological station in Ecuador South America

…enjoy colorful tanager flocks feeding in a Cecropia-tree.

Euglossine bees in nature reserve and biological station in Ecuador South America

…witness the pollination of an orchid flower by a glittering Euglossine bee.

Or on a night hike you can…

Olingo in nature reserve and biological station in Ecuador South America

…look out for a kinkajou (Potos flavus) or an olingo (Bassaricyon medius).

Whip spider in nature reserve and biological station in Ecuador South America

…search for creepy whip spiders (Amblypygi sp.).

But you probably don’t want to…

Tarantula in nature reserve and biological station in Ecuador South America

…touch a hairy tarantula.

Pitviper in nature reserve and biological station in Ecuador South America

…encounter a pitviper (Bothrops osbornei) coiled up on the forest floor ready to strike for prey.

Saturnid caterpillar in nature reserve and biological station in Ecuador South America

…touch the irritating hair of a beautiful Saturnid caterpillar.

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