In addition to the climate, culture and its rich gastronomy, the charm of Colombia stands out for the diversity of species that live in its territory. A wide range of colorful animals with very different characteristics coexist in the different ecosystems of the country.
With the intention that you know the biological wealth of one of the most megadiverse countries and that you remain astonished by its beauty, from Ecologist Verde we want to introduce you 23 endemic species of Colombia and of the regions near this zone, also including some neighboring countries.
Olinguito (Bassaricyon mist)
The olinguito it's a kind of nocturnal mammal discovered by Kristofer Helgen, a zoologist at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, in 2013.
Although it remains a mysterious species, given its recent discovery, we know that it inhabits the cloud forests of Colombia and Ecuador and that it is considered a relative of raccoons. It is a small animal, around 900 grams in weight, and stands out for having large and tender eyes.
Its behavior stands out for its solitary character and its predominance to spend most of the time on the trees. With nocturnal habits, the olinguito basically eats fruits, although it can also feed on insects and nectar.
Colombian spider monkey (Ateles fusciceps rufiventris)
The Colombian spider monkey is one of the endemic species of Colombia that lives in humid, cloud and dry forests and can live above 2,000 meters above sea level. This animal weighs up to 9 kilos and lives for about 24 years.
His physique stands out for his long limbs, his hands without thumbs and his black color all over his body. Also, there is a part with no hair on its tail. This peculiarity is different in each specimen, which makes them unique.
The Colombian spider monkey feeds mainly on fruit, although it also takes seeds, barks, leaves, flowers, and insects. Although they generally live in groups of about 30 individuals, they tend to divide into small groups of about 3 or 4 individuals.
Morrocoy Tortoise (Chelonoidis carbonaria)
The Morrocoy turtle or also call red-footed tortoise it is a species of terrestrial reptile endemic to jungles, savannas and even grasslands of countries in South America, such as Colombia.
Physically it stands out for its black color with orange spots on its shell, head and legs. They measure around 30-35 centimeters, although they present certain differences by sex, such as that males are larger than females.
With diurnal habits and a herbivorous and scavenger diet, the Morrocoy tortoise bases its diet on flowers, leaves, mushrooms, fruits, invertebrates and fresh or decomposed meat of birds, fish and lizards.
This turtle is in danger of extinction mainly due to three factors: excessive hunting for its consumption, the loss of habitat and the exploitation of the Morrocoy turtle trade as pets. Learn more about endangered Turtles in this other Green Ecologist article.
Blue Gorgon Lizard (Anolis gorgonae)
The gorgon blue lizard It is a small insectivorous reptile with a very particular bluish color. Is endemic to the Colombian island Gorgona, where it can be seen with difficulty in the jungle, on the trunks of the trees.
Although the number of specimens of this species has not been accurately counted, the Gorgona blue lizard is considered to be in danger of extinction mainly as a cause of deforestation and the introduction of species such as the red-headed basilisk or the helmeted basilisk. (Basiliscus galeritus), who progressively devours this species.
If you want to know more species in this risk situation in this country, we recommend this other post about 16 animals in danger of extinction in Colombia.
Ornate marmoset (Callicebus ornatus)
The Ornate marmoset, white-handed huicoco or zocay It is a primate of approximately one kilo of weight and a very particular appearance. Its white hands and paws give the impression that this marmoset is wearing gloves. In addition, the fluffy and soft fur of the species also stands out.
Endemic to the humid forests of the western department of Meta, in Colombia, the ornate marmoset makes long jumps thanks to its adapted hind legs and usually lives in groups of about 2 to 4 individuals with their monogamous partners and their young, usually one or two. .
Other of the peculiarities of this species, cataloged by the IUCN in vulnerable status, are their vocalizations used to defend their territory and grooming activities as a way to strengthen relationships within the group.
Andean Condor (Vultur gryphus)
Although it is not an exclusively endemic species of Colombia, the condor of the andes has great importance in this country, since it is a national bird in Colombia. It is listed as the largest non-marine flying bird in the world, reaching a wingspan of 3.4 meters with outstretched wings and weighing up to 15 kg for males and 11 kg for females.
Of colors, black stands out with some white feathers around its neck and on its wings. It is a scavenger bird, so it feeds on dead animals. In addition, it has a great visual capacity and a sustained flight that reaches up to an hour without flapping.
Finally, its population is considered in danger, mainly due to hunting and the commercialization of its feathers. Learn more about this bird in this other post about Why the condor is in danger of extinction.
Spectacled bear (Tremarctos ornatus)
The spectacled bear, also called Frontin Bear, South American Bear, Andean Bear, Jukumari and Ucumari It is another famous animal from Colombia and the only current species of the subfamily Tremarctinae.
Its most special characteristic is based on the presence of yellowish or whitish spots around the eyes, although sometimes they extend through the throat and chest area or there may be a total absence of these. The spots vary in each individual, which makes them a mark of identity.
The rest of the coat is, in addition to being rough and long, fundamentally black, although it can sometimes be brown or, very rarely, reddish. As for its dimensions, this bear with a small snout is around 1.30 and 1.90 meters tall and weighs between 80 and 125 kilos.
This bear with diurnal, terrestrial, solitary and climbing habits lives in the Andean region and has a great hearing capacity. Although it is omnivorous, in practice it is predominantly vegetarian, and is listed as vulnerable by the IUCN.
Prince of Arcabuco (Coeligena prunellei)
The Prince of Arcabuco, the black Inca or the purple black hummingbird It is a species of hummingbird of about 10cm in length, black and endemic only to the western slope of the Eastern Cordillera of Colombia.
Physically it is a bird with very particular colors. Predominantly black, it also has whitish spots on the sides of the chest and iridescent, greenish-blue colors on the shoulders and throat.
The daily activity that it carries out involves a large energy expenditure, like the rest of the hummingbird species, so its food demands are also very high. Thus, its diet is based on flower nectar, being able to visit around 2,200 flowers a day.
Cauca Valley poison frog (Minyobates bombetes)
The Valle del Cauca poison frog or ruby frog is endemic to Colombia, specifically it is a endemic species of the Andes region, both in the Western Cordillera of Valle del Cauca and on the western slope of the Central Cordillera of Risaralda and Quindío.
It is a very small diurnal amphibian, the male is around 17 mm and the female 18 mm. Its appearance stands out for its black, brown, brown or purple color with bright orange and red stripes on the sides. All these bright colors warn predators of the dangerous toxins found throughout their skin.
Although the species is widely distributed, the ruby frog is classified as vulnerable according to the IUCN due to the decrease in its habitat and wildlife trafficking.
Image: Jangala-magazine
Dotted lizard (Diploglossus millepunctatus)
The dotted lizard it is a short-legged reptile endemic to the island of Malpejo, in Valle del Cauca (Colombia). Its size ranges between 180 mm and 360 mm in adulthood.
Although smaller in size, the dotted lizard is as voracious as the large Komodo dragon. Of course, it does not have a toxic poison or toxic bacteria, so it is not dangerous in itself. It feeds on insects, sea crabs, worms, and even feathers.
It should be noted that, like most species of lizards, the dotted lizard can regenerate its tail when it loses it to some threat. In the same way and more surprisingly, it is also able to regenerate its teeth in case of loss.
Image: FundacionMalpelo
Other endemic species of the region of Colombia and neighboring countries
Other Colombian endemic species and surrounding regions are as follows:
- Colombian freshwater crab (Hypolobocera gorgonensis)
- Malpelo crab (Johngarthia malpilensis)
- Sword-billed hummingbirdEnsifera ensifera). In the cover image of this article you can see this species.
- Ventrizafiro hummingbird or swamp hummingbird (Lepidopyga lilliae)
- Gorgona Island Scorpion (Ananteris gorgonae)
- Colombian leaf-toed gecko (Phyllodactylus transversalis)
- Malpelo lizard (Dactyloa agassizi)
- Colombian Curassow (Crax alberti)
- Yellow-headed finch (Atlapetes flaviceps)
- Poisonous harlequin frog or cocoi (Oophaga histrionica)
- Golden poison frog (Phyllobates terribilis)
- Spiny ratProechimys canicollis)
- White-headed marmoset (Saguinus oedipus)
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