Depending on the geography, the forest dweller tayra (Eira barbara) goes by various names — tolomuco or perico in Central America, viejo de monte in the Yucatan Peninsula, motete in Honduras, and irara in Brazil. They’re about the size of a dog but look like something else entirely — a cross between a weasel and a wolverine — with dark fur, dark eyes, short legs, long claws, pronounced canines, long...
At a distance, collared peccaries can be confused for warthogs or wild pigs just due to their shape, size, and snout. Peccary, after all, is the family name for pig-like mammals. The Dicotyles tajacu should not be mixed up with Tayassu pecari, the white-lipped peccary. It is a similar pig-like species from the family Tayassuidae. This animal’s most distinctive physical feature is the thin white "collar" around its neck that goes down to its...
Take a walk through the wooded wilderness of Central America, and you’ll likely encounter a curious creature sporting a mishmash of characteristics. With its twitchy snout, banded tail, and distinctive facial markings, the white-nosed coati is a common sight in forests and woodlands from the southern US to northern South America. The jungles of Central America are one of their favorite playgrounds. This medium-sized mammal is a key player in...
From the snowy wilds of Alaska to the rugged southern tip of Chile, one big cat has mastered a variety of biomes. In North America and South America, the puma stalks its prey, raises its young, and splits the air with its distinct screaming calls. This long-tailed, enigmatic felid has proven extremely adaptable to a range of environments despite threats like human hunting and habitat loss. At Paso Pacifico, our...
Beyond their vast proportions, whale sharks seldom escape notice, not only due to size but for the peculiar patchwork of spots and stripes adorning them. Curiously, these visual signatures differ for each individual—akin to fingerprints among humans—serving as markers for differentiation. Classified under the scientific name Rhincodon typus, these giants are the planet's largest sharks and fish. Fully matured specimens stretch to an imposing 60 feet and tip the scales...
Central America is an amazing region, flanked by the Pacific and the Atlantic. Its shores has miles of coastal wildlife, which like many other species, are often endangered due to changes in the region. One of the most famous inhabitants is the pelican bird, one of the largest in the region. Scientifically named Pelecanus occidentalis, their presence signals not just natural beauty but also the health of marine ecosystems. These...
Native to America—particularly the US-Mexico land borders and southern Argentina—ocelots are shy and elusive wildcats that are facing threats due to the disturbance of their habitats. The Paso Pacifico team is working with local communities and landowners in Central and South America to secure core habitats. We believe giving them an optimal place to hunt, reproduce, and rear their offspring requires an integrative approach. Various factors contribute to the fragmentation...
The gray fox is not as ubiquitous as other fox species as they veer away from urban areas and are hard to spot in the wild. Their salt and pepper color allows them to blend with nature and avoid people. A bit stockier and more agile than the red fox, gray foxes’ total length range is 31 to 47 inches with weights of around 6 to 15 lbs. They are...
The world’s oceans are teeming with all kinds of marine life but it may not stay that way for much longer. By the year 2100, over half of the world’s marine species may be extinct. But we can reverse this destructive trend by preserving our marine corridors. Read on to discover how these vital corridors maintain the health of marine ecosystems. If you’re up for the challenge, you can lend...
The Pacific Ocean is home to sea turtles, a keystone species. They distribute nutrients throughout the waters, positively influencing ecosystems—especially those that exhibit poor primary productivity. They also help maintain stable dune vegetation critical to their reproductive success. Additionally, marine turtles keep the numbers of jellyfish, sponges, and seagrass in check, encouraging the faster and healthier growth of seabeds while supporting the food chain’s integrity. They are unquestionably critical to...
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