One important part of the project "Intensive Permaculture Workshop" is a characterization of the animal species that inhabit the farm plot.
Today our friends from Fauna Silvestre Foundation came to make the first field trip in search of amphibians and reptiles and as soon as they arrived a female iguana came towards us in search of water.
Today our friends from Fauna Silvestre Foundation came to make the first field trip in search of amphibians and reptiles and as soon as they arrived a female iguana came towards us in search of water.
Inside the plant nursery we found this frog. Most probably she felt secure inside the nursery where there is shadow and moisture from the saplings.
We also found a male Anolis auratus. Look at the tick on his belly.
The Anolis auratus with extended gula.
This gekko, Hemydactylus brooki, is the same one we usually find inside our houses in Cartagena.
It has not rained for the past weeks, all the ponds in the land plot are dry, so finding many amphibians could be a challenge. There is still not enough information on how do these amphibians of the dry tropical forest survive the dry seasson. The biologists of the Faundation consider that an ample research on this topic is much needed.
Nocturnal field trip
After the dawn, there is a good chance to find tree frogs and snakes. The first frog we found is the Trachycephalus typhonius. When she perceives to be in danger her skin secrets a milky substance that is toxic to her predators.
Trachycephalus typhonius
We also found a Leptodactylus fragilis. This is a small frog difficult to catch for observation because she can jump very fast.
Leptodactylus fragilis Photo: Fauna Silvestre
Next species, the Engystomops pustulosus, a small toad whose croaking attracts not only females, but also mosquitos, which sting her on the nose, and bats, which feed on her. This species' strategy for survival is to reproduce in high densities.
Engystomops pustulosus Photo: Fauna Silvestre
The first nocturnal field trip was very exciting because we found a venomous serpent, Porthidium lansbergii, locally named Patoco, which was resting coiled in a small hole in the soil wall of a small water stream bank.
Porthidium lansbergii Photo: Fauna Silvestre
The next morning the snake could be seen in movement. It is very important to memorize the pattern of the spots on her back and train the eye to see her in spite of her camouflage.
This very small lizard is a male Gonatodes albogularis. The females of this species have a soft brown color. Difference in color of males and females of a same species is called sexual dimorphism.
Thecadactylus rapicauda Photo: Fauna Silvestre
Our time in the Farm with the specialists in amphibians and reptiles from Fauna Silvestre came to an end. To observe other species, we were hoping for some rain which brings this wonderful animals out of their hiding places looking for food after a long dry season.
In the coming days, Fauna Silvestre will be presenting a report with their findings and we will be able to show the whole community how precious our forest is and why it is important to take care of it and all the rest of the dry tropical forest remaining in the Caribbean region.
Our time in the Farm with the specialists in amphibians and reptiles from Fauna Silvestre came to an end. To observe other species, we were hoping for some rain which brings this wonderful animals out of their hiding places looking for food after a long dry season.
In the coming days, Fauna Silvestre will be presenting a report with their findings and we will be able to show the whole community how precious our forest is and why it is important to take care of it and all the rest of the dry tropical forest remaining in the Caribbean region.
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