The animals of Colombia are abundant, the second country with more biodiversity of the planet. This South American nation has impressive wildlife that is enjoyed by thousands of people around the world.
Although it only occupies a small percentage (0.7%) of the total surface of the Earth, around 10% of the planet’s species are represented in this country.
Between the Andes mountains, the Amazon jungle, the coast and the tropical islands, Colombia has a unique combination of ecosystems. Thanks to this, this region is home to a large number of endemic animals. In this country there are 1871 species of birds, of which 70 are unique to Colombia.
On the other hand, of 760 amphibian species found in this area, 208 are in danger of extinction. As for reptiles, this country is home to 115 species. Finally, Colombia has more than 150 species of mammals.
The main animals of Colombia
1- Pink river dolphin
This strange pink dolphin is found in the Amazon River. It has a long nose, a round head and is timid in nature.
They can be observed throughout the Colombian Amazon. It is even possible to swim with these creatures in the river.
2- Pot-bellied monkey
It is a monkey found only in Colombia, although it is believed that it could also exist in Venezuela.
Its short coat is brown, black or gray; but its head, belly, tail and limbs are darker.
He has a flat face and nose. It can measure up to 72 centimeters and weigh up to 10 kilos. It lives in forests and lowlands that do not exceed 3000 meters of elevation. It is currently critically endangered.
3- Ameiva
They are lizards nicknamed metal lizards and are usually teal in color. They enjoy climbing trees and also digging in the ground.
They are very active animals that can be found in Valle del Cauca and Chocó.
4- Golden quetzal
This bird is very common in the mountains of Santa Marta, in northern Colombia, although it can live in a variety of habitats such as temperate and subtropical forests.
Its crown and its are never green and bronze, with a bright green chest, bright red belly, and black wings. It feeds on fruits, although sometimes it can eat lizards.
5- Goeldi’s Tamarin
The name of this monkey comes from the man who discovered this creature. It is small and is native to the Amazon basin.
They are usually brown or black and measure 20 to 23 centimeters. It is a quite rare monkey and they are considered a vulnerable species.
6- White-headed marmoset
These monkeys are endemic to Colombia. They are curious in nature and are characterized by having a lot of long shiny white hair on top of their head.
The rest of his body is black. They are very popular monkeys in Tayrona National Park.
7- Jaguar
It is the largest cat in America and one of the most iconic natural symbols of Colombia.
They are threatened, shy, and nocturnal, making them rare to find in the wild.
Despite this they live in many places in Colombia, including the Tayrona National Park and the Ecolodge La Aurora.
8- Condor of the Andes
It is the national bird of Colombia. This animal has a 10-foot wing opening, making it the largest flying bird in the world.
9- Chigüiro ( capybara )
It is the largest rodent in the world and lives in all of South America; It looks like a giant guinea pig.
It is common to observe them during the drought in the eastern Colombian plains, where they are considered a delicious food.
10- Thalurania colombica
They are medium-sized hummingbirds that inhabit low humid forests. They exist from Panama to Ecuador.
It is the only species of its genus in which the male’s head is bright green.
11- Anaconda
This snake is the largest and heaviest in the world; It can be 30 feet long and almost a foot in diameter.
Its diet is extensive, since it eats from fish to deer; on occasions he has consumed jaguars. Anaconda is found in the Amazon jungle.
12- Dendrobatid frogs
Colombia has the largest number of frogs in the world. Dendrobatics in particular are poisonous. The indigenous people used the poison of these frogs as a weapon when hunting.
The most spectacular species of this genus is the bright yellow poison dart frog – the world’s most venomous vertebrate and endemic to Colombia’s Pacific coast.
13- Yellow-winged Parakeet
It is one of the species of parakeets endemic to Colombia; the yellow-winged parakeet only lives in the eastern Colombian Andes.
Its feathers are green, it has a brown belly and the covers of its wings are yellow.
14- Frontin bear
He is a strange inhabitant of the high forests. It is the only surviving species of bear native to South America and it is difficult to find a specimen in the wild; They are in danger of extinction.
The best place to observe them is in the Chingaza National Park and they are one of the most important native species.
15- giant anthill
This animal has a strange long nose and a giant furry tail. It is found in the open plains of eastern Colombia and is also known as an anteater.
It can measure up to 2 meters long and weigh 45 kilos. It mainly feeds on termites and ants, using its large claws and long, sticky tongue.
16- Spider of Santa Marta
It is an endemic bird to the mountains of Santa Marta, in the north of Colombia. It is olive green above and yellow below, with a distinctive black and white pattern on its head.
It is associated with the areas where bamboo exists.
17- Piranhas
These fish are found in the Amazon jungle. They are carnivorous, about 10 inches long, and have very characteristic pointed teeth.
18- Orinoco Crocodile
It is the largest species of crocodile in America and is in danger of extinction, since for years it was hunted for its skin.
Observing a crocodile in the wild is unlikely; It is practically only possible to do it in the Tuparro National Park, on the border with Venezuela.
Fortunately, there is a conservation and reproduction program for these animals in the Wisiare Park, in the department of Casanare, which tries to increase the population of these crocodiles.
19- Humpback Whale
These whales arrive on the Colombian Pacific coast during June and stay there until October; they make this journey to give birth in these waters.
During these months they are easily seen from the boats that leave in the towns of the department of Chocó: Nuqui and Bahía Solano.
20- 89’98 Butterfly
There are 1600 species of butterflies in Colombia, so they are extremely common to observe.
But one of the most particular species is the d iaethria phlogea , also known as the 89’98 butterfly because it has a pattern on its wings that seems to illustrate this number.
21- Sword-billed Hummingbird
The sword-billed hummingbird is endemic to the Andes, being located in many parts of the Colombian region.
Like the rest of hummingbirds of its genus, this bird has a tiny body, an elongated beak with a tongue adapted to the intake of nectar and a flight similar to that of flies.
22- Olinguito
Recently classified mammal located in the Colombian Andes and Ecuador. Of nocturnal habits, it measures up to 75 cm, the tail being larger than the body itself.
They have a squirrel-like behavior, jumping from tree to tree. In addition, it feeds on insects and on nectar from trees and flowers.
