List of Animals Within the El Yunque Rainforest:
Although these animals may not be endangered, they still are a vital part to the El Yunque Rainforest ecosystem.
- Puerto Rican Tody- a small, yellow and green bird.
- Puerto Rican Parrot- native to Puerto Rico; one of the 10 most endangered animal species in the world.
- Coqui Frog- prominently found in Puerto Rico; is known for its high pitched sound.
- Crowned Night Heron- found in the forest in February; can be seen at the PR Road 988 and near the Mameyes River.
- Guppy- found in the forest in January; lives in warm springs, ponds, canals, and ditches.
- Red Bat- found in the forest in March; can be seen in the early evening hours near the border of the forest.
- Caribbean Dwarf Filter Shrimp- found in the forest in April; lives in most streams and pools near the trails of the forest; nocturnal.
- Brooks House Gecko- found in the forest in May; can be found near buildings around sunset.
- Northern Parula- found in the forest in June; can be spotted during winter months near trails and streams.
Coqui Frog: http://coolcreatureshotplanet.com/images/CoquiFrog.jpg?160
Puerto Rican Tody: http://www.billhubick.com/images2/puerto_rican_tody_el_yunque_20090409.jpg
Northern Parula: http://www.houstonaudubon.org/html/NParulaAMmed.jpg
Crowned Night Heron: http://www.cwsd.org/images/Black_crowned_Night_Heron.jpg
Brooks House Gecko: http://www.larsfoto.se/images/large/Brooks%20House%20Gecko_Hemidactylus%20brookii_Waza%20National%20Park,%20Cameroon_20120309_1_600.jpg
Puerto Rican Tody: http://www.billhubick.com/images2/puerto_rican_tody_el_yunque_20090409.jpg
Northern Parula: http://www.houstonaudubon.org/html/NParulaAMmed.jpg
Crowned Night Heron: http://www.cwsd.org/images/Black_crowned_Night_Heron.jpg
Brooks House Gecko: http://www.larsfoto.se/images/large/Brooks%20House%20Gecko_Hemidactylus%20brookii_Waza%20National%20Park,%20Cameroon_20120309_1_600.jpg
Why are animals important to the El Yunque?
The animals are such an important factor to the El Yunque forest. One of the most fragile things in nature is an ecosystem. If one animal species is destroyed and goes extinct, then all other animals and plants would be affected. For example, if a species that eats a certain type of plant goes extinct, that plant will overpopulate. As well, if a species goes extinct, the animals that feed on it will lose a source of their diet. One small disturbance, and the rest of the forest could be severely damaged. This is why every single animal within the El Yunque, whether it is a frog or a bat, is so influential to the ecosystem. Protecting these species will keep the rainforest balanced.
Puerto Rican Parrot (Endangered)
The Puerto Rican parrot has been an endangered species since 1967. As of 1975, only 13 parrots could be found in the forest. The parrot can only be found in one place: the El Yunque Forest. Because of this, conservation of the Puerto Rican parrot species is more important then ever. If the parrot becomes extinct in the forest, there is no other environment to find them.
One threat to the Puerto Rican parrot is the loss of habitat due to deforestation, or human cutting down trees for paper, wood, etc. However, the are natural contributions to the decrease of parrot population. Perhaps the most threatening cause of parrot extinction is hurricanes. These natural disasters have been proven to significantly reduce the population of the parrots. In 1989, the population went from 47 down to 22 after Hurricane Hugo. These storms can cause many trees to be damaged, ruining the parrots nests and habitat. As well, parrot nests are extremely susceptible to predator attacks. Predators attack to eggs, preventing many parrot births. This slowly over time can decrease the amount of parrots being born every year, and eventually reduce the population drastically.
Eco systems are one of the most fragile systems. Without the parrot, may other species will suffer. There will be a decrease in the populations of the prey that feed on the parrot, such as the mongoose, the black rats, and the pearly-eye thrashers. Aside from simply being a vital part of the food chain, Puerto Rican parrots have another important job in the El Yunque forest. They actually spread the seeds of their favorite food plants, in order to have more of them. Without parrots, there will be a decrease of plants and trees in the forest. This will result in a loss of food and habitat for other species, as well as less oxygen production and more carbon dioxide.
One threat to the Puerto Rican parrot is the loss of habitat due to deforestation, or human cutting down trees for paper, wood, etc. However, the are natural contributions to the decrease of parrot population. Perhaps the most threatening cause of parrot extinction is hurricanes. These natural disasters have been proven to significantly reduce the population of the parrots. In 1989, the population went from 47 down to 22 after Hurricane Hugo. These storms can cause many trees to be damaged, ruining the parrots nests and habitat. As well, parrot nests are extremely susceptible to predator attacks. Predators attack to eggs, preventing many parrot births. This slowly over time can decrease the amount of parrots being born every year, and eventually reduce the population drastically.
Eco systems are one of the most fragile systems. Without the parrot, may other species will suffer. There will be a decrease in the populations of the prey that feed on the parrot, such as the mongoose, the black rats, and the pearly-eye thrashers. Aside from simply being a vital part of the food chain, Puerto Rican parrots have another important job in the El Yunque forest. They actually spread the seeds of their favorite food plants, in order to have more of them. Without parrots, there will be a decrease of plants and trees in the forest. This will result in a loss of food and habitat for other species, as well as less oxygen production and more carbon dioxide.
How will we help?
One important start to helping the forest is by getting educated. It's important to understand who the animals are within the forest, how the interact with each other, and how they impact the forest as a whole. We will be able to talk to experts about the efforts that are already being made, in order to be able to do similar activities.
As well, we will be able to put work back into the forest. In order to increase population of the animals that are endangered, we will promote reproduction. By placing nests that will allow for protection of parrot eggs, we will be able to increase the amount of births.
We will also plant the seeds of the birds favorite trees. This will not only help the problem of land degradation, but it will also benefit the endangered animals. The loss of trees is one of the main reasons for the decrease in parrot population. When the trees start to grow, it will give the parrots more places to build their nests and lay eggs.
To learn more about what this trip will do to benefit the forest, click here.
As well, we will be able to put work back into the forest. In order to increase population of the animals that are endangered, we will promote reproduction. By placing nests that will allow for protection of parrot eggs, we will be able to increase the amount of births.
We will also plant the seeds of the birds favorite trees. This will not only help the problem of land degradation, but it will also benefit the endangered animals. The loss of trees is one of the main reasons for the decrease in parrot population. When the trees start to grow, it will give the parrots more places to build their nests and lay eggs.
To learn more about what this trip will do to benefit the forest, click here.