Fauna and Flora

In the Island tropical forest, over 300 species of vascular plants have been recorded, with a predominance of Crabwood, Guaruba, Oak, and Yellow tree. In areas with poor light in the forest layer, there are epiphytes and ferns. In disturbed and recovering forest, the following trees are common: Cotonron, Cerillo, Wild Plum, and the fig Higueron. On the beaches, 4 species of marine turtles, endangered world wide, come to nest. They include the Pacific Green, the Loggerhead and the Hawksbill.
In the mangrove zones, where the red mangrove and white mangrove predominate, it is common to see yellow warbler, yellow warbler manglera and american redstart. On the 28 species of reptiles and amphibians found over the forests, mangrove areas, and coral reefs protected by Bastimentos Island Marine National Park, over half (17 species) are threatened or endangered.
Various birds can often be seen flying over the sea. Apart of the magnificent flight of the huge frigate birds, which have a wing span of over a metre, there are laughing gulls and spotted sandpiper. Most of the 68 species of birds recorded in the protected are live in the Park's forest, including the spectacular and unmistakable three-wattled bellbird and the beautiful band-tailed barbthroat. It is common to see red-lored amazon, and blue headed-parrot flying together in flocks. At Swans Key, very near the reserve, it is possible to see the spectacular red billed tropicbird, a beautiful sea bird with unmistakeable long white tail feathers longer than its body.
Over 32 mammal species have been recorded in the islands, with numerous populations of two-toed sloth, three toed-sloth and several of dolphin species.
Thirteen bat species live in the park, including the bulldog bat and jamaicencis bat. The importance of bats to forest recovery must not be underestimated, as recent studies indicate that they dispersed seeds of 95 % of the plants growing on deforested land. The Paca, white-throated Capuchin, night monkey, and striking anteater are also common in the forest areas. Among the amphibians, the presence of the famous poisonous frog worth a special mention.
It is found in the leaf litter of the Park's slightly disturbed evergreen forest and presents great variations in colouring (red, yellow, orange) , a possible indication of specialisation due to isolation on an island. The area contains numerous reptile species, and iguanas that can easily be seen by visitors. We also can find an amazing marine life ( please click Dive link )