42 ENDANGERED ANIMALS in NICARAGUA - Names and photos

Table Of Contents

Giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla)
Spider monkey (Ateles geoffroyi)
Jaguar (Panthera onca)
Great Curassow (Crax rubra)
Anolis lizard (Norops humilis)
Other endangered animals in Nicaragua

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Nicaragua, the largest Central American country, has great biodiversity. It comprises 68 different ecosystems, terrestrial and aquatic, which are home to 14,000 species of invertebrate animals and 1,800 of vertebrates. Degradation, fragmentation and loss of habitats are the main reasons why many Nicaraguan animals they are considered endangered species.

In order to know what can be done to help preserve endangered species, it is necessary to list which native animals of Nicaragua are in this serious state of conservation. This Green Ecologist article shows what are the endangered animals in Nicaragua, indicating a list of 42 species.

Giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla)

We begin this list of the fauna of Nicaragua in danger of extinction with the giant anteaterMyrmecophaga tridactyla), which is one of the most characteristic mammals of South America. It is widely distributed from Guatemala to the North of Argentina. It lives in jungles, savannas, forests and grasslands. These toothless animals feed on ants and termites using their sticky tongues and are generally solitary in nature.

Its population density varies greatly depending on the area, but it has been under great pressure due to the transformation and destruction of its main habitats for agricultural activities (palm and rice plantations) and livestock.

At a global level, the IUCN classifies the conservation status of this species as vulnerable species (VU). However, in the Red List of Mammals of Nicaragua^[1] appears as endangered specie (PE).

Spider monkey (Ateles geoffroyi)

This primate is the most threatened in Nicaragua. It is distributed throughout the jungles of South America. It inhabits the primary, evergreen and semi-deciduous forest; although, it is also possible to find it in the deciduous undergrowth. It is normally found in the highest parts of the trees and its diet is based on the collection of fruits.

Habitat fragmentation, hunting and its commercial use, among other pressures, have led to a decline in the population of the Spider monkey (Ateles geoffroyi). In this other article we clarify more about the question of Is the spider monkey in danger of extinction?

Jaguar (Panthera onca)

The Jaguar (Panthera onca) it is the largest feline species in America. They occupy various habitats: mainly forests and areas near bodies of water (eg: swamps), so they have the ability to swim. Jaguars are active animals during the day and at night and they feed on any prey (they are opportunistic carnivores, that is, they are not selective).

This iconic species is in danger of extinction by activities such as hunting, by natural or anthropic changes in the availability of water bodies and by the destruction and degradation of forests.

At a global level, the IUCN classifies the conservation status of this species as near threatened (NT); however, on the Red List of Mammals of Nicaragua it appears as an endangered species (PE).

Here we explain more about why the jaguar is in danger of extinction.

Great Curassow (Crax rubra)

The big peacock bassCrax rubra) It is a bird that is distributed from southern Mexico to Colombia and Ecuador, including Central America. It inhabits humid lowland tropical forests and premontane tropical forests. It feeds mainly on fruits and seeds.

Activities such as hunting, capturing animals and deforestation (logging and harvesting of wood) lead to a significant decrease in peacock populations. At a global level, the IUCN lists the conservation status of this species as vulnerable (VU); however, in the Red List of Vertebrate Species at Risk of Extinction of Nicaragua appears as endangered specie (PE).

Anolis lizard (Norops humilis)

The Anolis lizardNorops humilis) It is a species of oviparous reproduction and has a distribution that mainly occupies the countries of Costa Rica, Panama and Nicaragua. It has semi-arboreal habits and lives in primary and secondary, humid, rainy and mountainous forests. It feeds mainly on insects and arthropods.

Pollution, occupation and changes in land use for agricultural, livestock and forestry activities have led to the loss and fragmentation of their habitat, causing a decline in the population of this species. Despite the fact that the IUCN does not show a category on the conservation status of Norops humilis, on the Red List of Vertebrate Species at Risk of Extinction of Nicaragua, appears as endangered specie (PE).