Top 10 Wildlife
-
1. Mangroves
The gnarled thickets of vegetation, their roots emerging from mudflats, estuaries, and lagoons, are a unique ecosystem, providing food and shelter to a huge spectrum of birds, fish, and crustaceans.
-
2. Crocodiles
Like their relatives in Lago Enriquillo, the Northwest’s American crocodiles are not remotely aggressive, fleeing approaching humans and thriving on fish. Their preferred habitat are mangrove forests.
-
3. Turtles
The offshore cays are favored breeding grounds for the giant leatherback, loggerhead, and small green turtles. They lay large quantities of eggs on the beaches of these desert islands.
-
4. Pelicans
The huge, heavy brown pelican, with long bill and pouch, can be seen either swimming in the sea or diving spectacularly at a steep angle in search of a fish.
-
5. Ibises
The gregarious ibises, white with a trademark red bill and face, roost and feed in large flocks. They prefer mudflats and shallow lagoons, where they love to feed on crabs and small fish.
-
6. Oystercatchers
The American oystercatcher is difficult to confuse with any of the other waders due to its large size, striking black and white plumage, and bright orange bill.
-
7. Egrets
Taller and whiter than the cattle egret, the snowy egret is another mangrove-loving bird. It nests in colonies in the protective thickets and stalks its prey in the shallow waters (see Cattle Egret).
-
8. Orchid
Hundreds of species of orchid of every color abound in the swamps of the Parque Nacional Monte Cristi, (see Parque Nacional Monte Cristi). Some grow out of trees, the others mysteriously thrive on dry rock faces.
-
9. Cacti
The region’s desert conditions are ideal for many different sorts of cactus. The best-loved, though, is called tuna , the prickly pear, which boasts lovely white flowers and bears edible fruit.
-
10. Mosquitoes
Obviously, the least-loved of natural inhabitants, these irritating creatures proliferate in the swampy conditions. They can create a genuine health hazard, and cases of dengue fever and malaria have been reported near Haiti.
Advertisement
-
-
lukmansani's Prague guide
lukman
-
TobinDane's Seattle guide
TobinD
-
tamunshen's Chicago guide
tamuns
-
-
-
Berlin guide
skrams
-
London guide
pukank
-
Merry in Madrid
travel
-
New York festivities
travel
-
Christmas in Vienna
travel
-




Get DK Top Ten Travel Guides on your iPhone & iPod Touch!




symbol, to start adding attractions to your
tailor-made travel guide.
If you were signed in, you could write a review here. Register for a free account, or if you're already a member, sign in.