Did you know that the mantled howler monkey (Alouatta palliata) is a New World Monkey? These interesting species are one of the five families of primates residing in South and Central America as well as Mexico. Let’s start with their characteristics: these special animals are often seen as threatening, judged by their looks. Why? Usually large, stocky and with a loud roar, it can be compared to a lion! Isn’t...
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...
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...
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...
You have probably heard this phrase before: “Forests are the lungs of our planet”. I must tell you that such thing is entirely correct. They make up 31% of the world’s land area. But that’s not everything you can know about forests! Let me tell you even more interesting facts about them, such as their diverse forms, each with unique ecosystems! These are so important because they work as sanctuaries...
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...
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...
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...
Note from Paso Pacífico: In late 2023, for the first time in several years, we were able to host a group of friends in Central America and show them some of the impact of their support! Andrew Seligman helped plan and then attended the donor trip. We are deeply grateful for Andrew’s help. Thank you also to everyone who participated in this trip and has supported any part of our...
In May of 2023, a Taiwanese man was arrested at Miami International Airport after officers heard a chirping sound coming from his hand luggage. Inside were 28 parrot eggs, some already hatched! All were endangered species—yellow-naped and red-lored Amazon parrots. The man had been paid to fly from Central America to another country in a transit route that would take the birds around the world and to buyers in China....
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