traveldk.com

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.