Venezuela 2000 Species List

Venezuela April 29 - May 7, 2000 Allen & Nancy Chartier
Species Accounts Plants Spiders Butterflies Beetles Lifers are in boldface, Amphibians and unusual species are underlined. Reptiles Birds Mammals
Plants
	We didn’t pay too much attention to identifying the plants. There were many colorful Heliconias at various places, and the most easily recognized tree were the Cecropias. Orchid (Cleistes rosea) [3] A spectacular pink species seen along the road as we were leaving the San Isidro cloud forest. A colorful species in the widespread Melastome family was seen along the Choroni Road at Henri Pittier NP. PHOTO
Spiders
	Wandering Spider (Cupiennus salei) This large (3 inches across the legs) spider was found in our shower and brought to the dinner table (in a jar) for all to enjoy!
Butterflies
	*Dagger Wing (Marpesia chiron)* [2] This is the two-toned butterfly seen on the ground at the Rancho Grande Research Station at Henri Pittier NP. Another was seen at the San Isidro cloud forest. Owl Butterfly (Caligo memnon) [1] Seen along the trail behind the Rancho Grande Research Station at Henri Pittier NP. Monarch (Danaus plexippus) [1] Unexpected in the park in Maracay. Morpho (Morpho peleides) [5] Seen in Henri Pittier NP and at the San Isidro cloud forest. 88 Butterfly (Callicore clymena) [1] The small butterfly with the white underwing with the "88" pattern on it (ours might have been an 89, but that is just variation), seen along the trail behind the Rancho Grande Research Station at Henri Pittier NP. Ithomia sp. [10] The transparent-winged butterflies seen along the trail behind the Rancho Grande Research Station at Henri Pittier NP. Likely more than one species seen. Family: Ithomiidae.
Beetles
	*Hercules Beetle (Dynastes hercules)* [2] PHOTO A male and female at the crest of the Choroni Road at Henri Pittier NP. This is the only one of the three large beetles that we saw that is identifiable at this time. Family: Scarabeidae. Long-horned Beetle [1] PHOTO This colorful (brown with large yellow spots) large beetle was in the restroom at the Rancho Grande Research Station at Henri Pittier NP. Family: Cerambycidae. Click Beetle [1] PHOTO This large iridescent green beetle was found by Mike along the Cumbuto Road at Henri Pittier NP. Family: Elateridae. Tiger Beetle [1] The iridescent green species with an orange spot on each wing cover that we saw on the rocks near the river at the San Isidro cloud forest. Family: Cicindelidae.
Amphibians
	Tree Frog (Hyla crepitans) [10] This is the species that was on the walls of the buildings at Hato el Cedral. White-lipped Frog (Leptodactylus bolivianus) [1] Seen on the porch of our accommodations at Hato el Cedral.
Reptiles
	Spectacled Caiman (Caiman crocodilus) [1,500] PHOTO Very common at Hato el Cedral, and a few along the roadsides in the low llanos. *Orinoco Crocodile (Crocodylus intermedius)* [1] PHOTO An endangered species. This large (15 foot?) crocodile was loafing on the shore of the Matiyure River where we saw it on our boat ride there. *Anaconda (Eunectes murinus)* [5] PHOTO A large (14 foot?) female was seen just off a dike relatively near the camp at Hato el Cedral. The next day, what was probably a different female (smaller) was seen in a breeding ball with at least 3-4 other males (smaller than females) near the same area. Green Iguana (Iguana iguana) [25] Common at Hato el Cedral. Whiptail Lizard (Cnemidophorus lemniscatus) [1] Seen only by Allen and Sue in an area on the outskirts of the camp at Hato el Cedral. Tegu Lizard (Tupinambis nigropunctatus) [3] Seen along the dikes at Hato el Cedral, most often dashing for cover. Gecko (Phyllodactylus ventralis) [2] Seen on the walls on the outside of the buildings at Hato el Cedral. Llanos Sideneck Turtle (Podicnemis vogli) [5,000] On the edges of virtually every pond at Hato el Cedral there were herds of them!
Birds A total of 364 species was seen, which includes 37 life birds. The list of birds is too extensive to display on this page. Click here to view the bird list and links to bird photos.
Mammals
	Common (Black-eared) Opossum (Didelphis marsupialis) [1] Pointed out to us by our drivers as it was roosting in the dark recess of the buttresses of a tree in a Mata at Hato el Cedral. A different species from the one we have in Michigan (D. virginianus). Nine-banded Long-nosed Armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus sabanicola) [1] Seen on our first morning at Hato el Cedral. Southern Tamandua or Lesser Anteater (Tamandua tetradactyla) [1] Seen sleeping in the crotch of a tree along the Caicara River on our first morning at Hato el Cedral. Giant Anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) [3] PHOTO Most groups arehappy with a sighting of one Giant Anteater. We did really well in finding three in the llanos! The first one was seen from the dike on our first morning drive on the way to the Caicara River at Hato el Cedral. The second one was on our evening drive, again near the Caicara River, this time in a different area. This second one was seen distantly crossing the dike ahead of us. Some saw this one in the scope. As a finale, one was right beside the road in the low llanos fairly soon after we left Hato el Cedral. Eastern Cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus) [1] Seen at Hato el Cedral. Red-tailed Squirrel (Sciurus granatensis) [4] PHOTO Seen at the feeders at the Rancho Grande Research Station, and along the Choroni Road, at Henri Pittier NP. Capybara (Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris) [4,500] PHOTO As expected, they were everywhere at Hato el Cedral. Not seen anywhere else. Crab-eating (Savanna) Fox (Cerdocyon thous) [3] All were seen the same day, at widely separated areas, at Hato el Cedral. *White-lined Sac-winged Bat (Saccopteryx bilineata)* [10] PHOTO Several were seen roosting on a tree trunk in a Mata at Hato el Cedral. A couple more were roosting on a tree trunk on the edge of the camp, seen by Allen and Sue. Red Howler Monkey (Alouatta seniculus) [10] PHOTO Heard daily at Henri Pittier NP, and a couple seen briefly. Seen well in the gallery forest along the Caicara River at Hato el Cedral. White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) [35] All were at Hato el Cedral, including a few white morph individuals. These were not albinos because they have dark eyes. Pink River Dolphin (Inia geoffroyensis) [2] Seen as they came up to breathe, and responding to Gustavo’s whistles, in the Caicara River our first morning at Hato el Cedral.