No one of consequence...
Costa Rica isn’t for the faint at heart. Of course – if you are planning to stay in one of the finer resorts and hotels that constantly spray their rooms and gardens with pesticides and insecticides there probably isn’t much to be worried about other than the occasional sea snake washed up at the beach – but for those of you that prefer a heartier accommodation, you’d better be willing to share your place with some new friends.
Supposedly C.R. has the largest number of animals per square mile and the widest selection of creatures in the world – I can’t speak much for the rain forest section here, but I imagine it being even better than the dry forest/pacific area I’ve encountered here…
I think pretty much all creatures can be divided up into the – rather personal - categories of “cute”, “don’t care much” and “someone get this out of here NOW” – and depending on what the population of your category three is, you’ll have a better or worse time down here.
Iguanas are a “normal” part of live in Playa Flamingo. They eat left-over melon in the school yard, climb around trees, or hang out lazily with their buddies watching the trash fires that can be found everywhere. The Ticos seem to have a “live and let live” attitude towards them – they hang out in the front and back yards, at pools and fountains, aren’t eaten, hunted, or disturbed – and in turn the Iguanas…. do what it is that Iguanas do. Other than them running across your roof (they are pretty fast for having such short legs) in the middle of the night, I haven’t heard of anyone who had to share their bunk bed with one.
Another creature – that luckily rarely finds it way into the rooms – is the grasshopper. No, not what you think. Not the semi-cute little hoppers that make that nice sound during those summer nights that we all so fondly remember. We are talking about grasshoppers that easily reach 10 inches (25 cm) – the NFL linebackers of grasshoppers. It takes quite some effort and conviction to get one of those out of your room again.
Inside appears to be more reserved for the smaller creatures that can – and will – slip through the numerous cracks and holes of Tico architecture, attracted by light or in the hope of some food. Without doubt Mosquitoes are the most common visitors – and the prospect of getting Malaria or Dengue Fever from a bite makes the use of repellant a wise idea.
I am reasonably sure that the countless ants get into the rooms the same way –all the different sizes seem to live in harmony with each other, and are only united in their fight against humans. Some of them even go way out of their way only to bite you. Maybe it’s a game or another ant triple-dog-dared them, but I haven’t seen one come out alive from that yet.
The architecture usually also provides large entryways for other creatures – for example lizards (or geckos?). Someone said they eat the ants and mosquitoes, so they are OK in my book. These little fellows (up to the size of your hand) are also terribly quick, but other than the iguanas have little suction cups at their feet, which allows them to walk equally quick on level surface as they do on walls and even ceilings. What’s particular impressive is their ability to run upside down on a wall and then jump, turn around mid air, land on their feet, and continue running on the floor. The one in Ken’s room also acts as wake up call – exactly 5 minutes before his alarm clock goes off, his lizard shows up and “barks” at the alarm clock. Every day.
Scorpions can be found less often in the rooms, but one is always best advised to shake out pieces of clothing and shoes before putting them on. Our student advisor found a scorpion in his sneakers before going on a run last week.
I am not even going to talk a lot about the cockroaches and other bugs that seem to live their lives hidden in corners and below surfaces, only to pop their heads up behind the pillow during the State of the Union or another riveting episode of “The Simpsons” in Spanish. They are more like roommates than anything else. If only they would do the dishes.
And last but by no means least, another common occurrence are Spiders – and they come in all sorts and shapes here. While my room is only frequented by a rather small spider – not more than 6-7cm (about 3 inches) - that seems to have taken a particular liking to my first aid kit, a fellow class mate of mine had to give up his room to a full-grown, hairy Tarantula a few nights ago.
From the classifieds:
The image gallery for Costa Rica is here. There aren't a whole lot of pictures from here on yet - mostly because I haven't seen the abundant wildlife yet that I'll hopefully encounter in Monteverde.
I went snorkeling at the Isla Tortuge last weekend - and the water clarity there is leagues better than up here. Tons of fish, eels, etc. in all colors. If it wasn't for the tiny jelly fish that would just casually sting me while diving, it would have been a perfect experience. Planning to go scuba diving this Wednesday, hope I don't kill myself.
"Las Naciones" in Buenos Aires will be my new home for 5 weeks starting in late February. If I can trust the description I got from it, it's right downtown on the Av. Corrientes. We'll see.
Marina is planning to disappoint me sorely.
They seem to know Cindy here as well:
Supposedly C.R. has the largest number of animals per square mile and the widest selection of creatures in the world – I can’t speak much for the rain forest section here, but I imagine it being even better than the dry forest/pacific area I’ve encountered here…
I think pretty much all creatures can be divided up into the – rather personal - categories of “cute”, “don’t care much” and “someone get this out of here NOW” – and depending on what the population of your category three is, you’ll have a better or worse time down here.
Iguanas are a “normal” part of live in Playa Flamingo. They eat left-over melon in the school yard, climb around trees, or hang out lazily with their buddies watching the trash fires that can be found everywhere. The Ticos seem to have a “live and let live” attitude towards them – they hang out in the front and back yards, at pools and fountains, aren’t eaten, hunted, or disturbed – and in turn the Iguanas…. do what it is that Iguanas do. Other than them running across your roof (they are pretty fast for having such short legs) in the middle of the night, I haven’t heard of anyone who had to share their bunk bed with one. Another creature – that luckily rarely finds it way into the rooms – is the grasshopper. No, not what you think. Not the semi-cute little hoppers that make that nice sound during those summer nights that we all so fondly remember. We are talking about grasshoppers that easily reach 10 inches (25 cm) – the NFL linebackers of grasshoppers. It takes quite some effort and conviction to get one of those out of your room again.
Inside appears to be more reserved for the smaller creatures that can – and will – slip through the numerous cracks and holes of Tico architecture, attracted by light or in the hope of some food. Without doubt Mosquitoes are the most common visitors – and the prospect of getting Malaria or Dengue Fever from a bite makes the use of repellant a wise idea.
I am reasonably sure that the countless ants get into the rooms the same way –all the different sizes seem to live in harmony with each other, and are only united in their fight against humans. Some of them even go way out of their way only to bite you. Maybe it’s a game or another ant triple-dog-dared them, but I haven’t seen one come out alive from that yet.
The architecture usually also provides large entryways for other creatures – for example lizards (or geckos?). Someone said they eat the ants and mosquitoes, so they are OK in my book. These little fellows (up to the size of your hand) are also terribly quick, but other than the iguanas have little suction cups at their feet, which allows them to walk equally quick on level surface as they do on walls and even ceilings. What’s particular impressive is their ability to run upside down on a wall and then jump, turn around mid air, land on their feet, and continue running on the floor. The one in Ken’s room also acts as wake up call – exactly 5 minutes before his alarm clock goes off, his lizard shows up and “barks” at the alarm clock. Every day.
Scorpions can be found less often in the rooms, but one is always best advised to shake out pieces of clothing and shoes before putting them on. Our student advisor found a scorpion in his sneakers before going on a run last week.
I am not even going to talk a lot about the cockroaches and other bugs that seem to live their lives hidden in corners and below surfaces, only to pop their heads up behind the pillow during the State of the Union or another riveting episode of “The Simpsons” in Spanish. They are more like roommates than anything else. If only they would do the dishes.
And last but by no means least, another common occurrence are Spiders – and they come in all sorts and shapes here. While my room is only frequented by a rather small spider – not more than 6-7cm (about 3 inches) - that seems to have taken a particular liking to my first aid kit, a fellow class mate of mine had to give up his room to a full-grown, hairy Tarantula a few nights ago.
From the classifieds:
posted by Mark Peters @ 8:02 PM
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