Wildlife Conservation Insights | Paso Pacifico Blog

American Crocodile vs Alligator

Many people have trouble telling american crocodiles apart from alligators, especially when comparing the American crocodile vs American alligator in terms of their appearance and behavior. These cold-blooded behemoths look similar but several defining characteristics separate the two. Join Paco Pacifico as we explore the difference between the American crocodile vs alligator. We’ll also provide insights into how wildlife corridors, like the one at Paso del Istmo, play a key...

Explore the Vibrant World of Trogons

Trogons — from the same bird family as the quetzals — have a brilliant plumage with contrasting colors, which makes them popular with birdwatchers. Popular among birdwatchers, trogons are known for their brilliant plumage with contrasting colors. Like other tropical birds, this non-migratory species can stay perfectly still to survive, making them difficult to spot. Though trogons have been around for millions of years, their populations are dwindling. Learn more...

Mantled Howler Monkey Habitats

The mantled howler monkey (Alouatta palliata) is a New World Monkey, one of the five families of primates residing in South and Central America as well as Mexico. It has characteristics that make it seem more threatening than it is. The species is marked by a large, stocky body and a roar so loud, it has been compared to that of a lion! But they don’t pose a risk to...

Possum vs. Opossum: Same animal?

Possum vs. opossum? Aren’t they different spellings of the same word? Understanding the difference between possum and opossum is essential, as they are not the same animal Many non-native English speakers struggle with telling the 2 species apart. This is mainly because the word “possum” is often used in American colloquial conversation as an abbreviation for “opossum.” Despite the confusion, they’re very different animals. Paso Pacifico will take you through...

Fascinating Facts About the Scarlet Macaw

When you think about parrots, you’re probably picturing the scarlet macaw with its brilliant red plumage, bright blue and yellow feathers, and creamy white face. Intelligent, sociable, and stunningly beautiful, it is the world’s most famous parrot species. Aside from being frequently featured in TV shows and films, the scarlet macaw plays an important role in our ecosystem. For one, this neotropical parrot distributes seeds throughout its vast Central and...

QCDs: Pay Less Taxes. Help the Planet

Are you a retired individual with a tax-deferred Individual Retirement Account (IRA)? Once you reach a certain age, you’re required to start withdrawing money from your IRA. The additional income you receive can push you into a higher tax bracket, which means you’ll have to pay more taxes. This can have a significant impact on your net income. Because of this, many retirees opt to donate the money (all or...

Different Types of Forests

Forests are the lungs of our planet and make up 31% of the world’s land area. They also come in diverse forms, each with unique ecosystems that provide a sanctuary for a large number of birds and animals, many of them endangered. They’re also home to more than 80% of terrestrial species and absorb roughly 15.6 billion tons of carbon dioxide annually.Along the Pacific coast of Central America, these ecosystems...

Help Sea Turtle Conservation in El Salvador

The sea turtle is one of North America’s most treasured species. People often pay huge amounts on excursions to witness these creatures in their natural habitat, swimming among coral reefs in the middle of stark blue seas. There are currently seven sea or marine turtle species in existence: Hawksbill, Loggerhead, Leatherback, Olive ridley, Green, Flatback, and Kemp's ridley. Most of them can live up to 100 years. However, it is...

Why Are Jaguarundis Endangered?

When you think about the wild cats of the Americas, the cougar and jaguar are the stars of the show. Even though these large predatory cats are iconic in their own right, they take attention away from the rest of the New World’s felid guild. A wide array of small and medium-sized cats stalk the forests of North, Central, and South America. Among these lesser-known wildcats, the jaguarundi stands out...

Black-Handed Spider Monkeys (Facts)

Central America has a diverse array of dazzling landscapes and biospheres. Its lush rainforests and montane forests are home to a charismatic primate that has become an icon of Central American wildlife, the black-handed spider monkey. The black-handed spider monkey is one of the seven species of spider monkeys found in Central and South America. These curious and charismatic primates can be seen swinging through the treetops, congregating noisily, and...

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