The Animals of Nicaragua: From Forests, Fresh Water, and Beyond
Nicaragua is known for its stunning variety of landscapes, from dramatic lakes to volcanic formations and white sand beaches. This lush tropical paradise also boasts an amazing wealth of animal species. Here’s a look at the animals that call Nicaragua home.
Nicaragua Wildlife
Nicaraguan Forests
Although Nicaragua lost about 21 percent of its forest cover between 1990 and 2005 alone, with deforestation continuing to plague the country’s lands, its forests are still remarkable hotspots of biodiversity. Nicaragua is well known for its bursting variety of animal species, and many of these species make their homes in forest ecosystems. Some forest-dwelling animals in Nicaragua include:
Pumas
Jaguars
Ocelots
Margays
Various monkeys
Deer
Peccaries
Nicaragua’s varied environments also play home to many reptile, amphibian, insect, and bird species. You can find an abundance of tropical birds including trogons, harpy eagles, orioles, pauraques, macaws, parrots, parakeets, and more. The birds of Nicaragua also include waterfowl, wading birds, and nighthawks, among others, with more than 700 bird species cataloged in Nicaragua.
Lake Nicaragua
Other environments in Nicaragua also host a dazzling diversity of life. This is especially true of Lake Nicaragua, a freshwater lake that contains oceanic life! The tales of Lake Nicaragua sharks are true; the largest lake in Central America is known to have bull sharks.
Bull sharks are recognizable by their particularly stout body shape and are known by many different names around the world. The ones in Lake Nicaragua are also known as Nicaragua sharks. These sharks prefer shallow waters and are unusually aggressive and unpredictable, making them one of the more dangerous sharks for swimmers.
From these freshwater ecosystems to forests and more, Nicaragua is brimming with fascinating wildlife, along with domesticated animals used in agriculture or kept as pets. However, Nicaragua’s animal welfare services are lacking, with veterinary care being out of reach for many communities.
In order to expand critical veterinary care to these communities, our veterinary experts at IVO conducted biannual trips to the small fishing village of Jiquilillo, Nicaragua. There, we worked with local partners to provide vaccinations, anti-parasitic medications, and surgeries to animals in need. Our work improved not only the health of the animals, but the health of each community as well!
Here at International Veterinary Outreach (IVO), we’re on a mission to create a healthy global community free of animal suffering. We want to improve the lives of people and animals worldwide, and you can help us do it! Donate now to support our international conservation efforts and animal health programs! Find out how you can get involved, sign up for our newsletter to stay up-to-date, and learn more about our decade of positive impact!
