Page 56 - World of Animals - Issue #36

Explore the Earth

Bow to the quetzal, sacred

bird of the Mayans

With its glittering plumage and dramatic tail streamers, the resplendent
quetzal’s striking appearance makes it appear like a deity among birds – and
for many centuries, the region’s indigenous people treated it as such.
The resplendent quetzal was sacred to both the Aztec and the Mayan
people, who considered the bird a symbol of light and goodness. The bird
found expression in local mythology in the form of Quetzalcoatl the wind god,
commonly depicted as a feathered serpent adorned with the bird’s stunning
plumes. Its feathers were considered a symbol of wealth, and high priests and
rulers would often decorate themselves with the quetzal’s tail feathers.
In the present day, these reclusive birds can be difficult to spot, but the
mountain forests of Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve and San Gerardo de
Dota valley offer the greatest odds. The former is one of the most famous
quetzal habitats in the world. The best time to visit is during nesting season
from February to May, when pairs retreat to higher elevations to find suitable
holes in the avocado trees in which to lay their eggs. Local guides will be able
to steer you in the direction of popular nesting sites – from a respectable
distance on the park’s network of suspension bridges, of course.

Go eye-to-eye with nature’s

wonders on a night hike

As the sun sets on Costa Rica, encountering one of Costa Rica’s
the day is only just beginning for most famous inhabitants, and
the country’s rich tapestry of someone who looks like they’ve had a
nocturnal wildlife – from sloths to few late nights on the town: the red-
scorpions, owls to olingos – the eyed tree frog.
tree-dwelling distant relatives of This tree frog is curiously difficult
the raccoon. to spot during the day, as it sleeps
Thankfully, these wonders stuck to the bottom-side of leaves,
are by no means inaccessible camouflaging itself by concealing
to travellers. Numerous places its bright stomach and limbs. When
throughout the country, such threatened by a predator, it uses its
as the Arenal Oasis Eco Lodge conspicuous colouring as a defensive
and Wildlife Refuge north-west mechanism, suddenly snapping its
of the capital San José, operate vivid scarlet eyes open and flashing
night walks. its orange webbed feet, startling the
It’s in these circumstances that threat long enough for the frog to
you will have the best chance of make a hop for safety.

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