National Animal of Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a Central American country, home to more than 5 million people and an enormous variety of wildlife. Covered in rainforests and jungle terrain, Costa Rica is well known for its many exotic species of plants and animals. Knowing this, it might come as a surprise to learn that Costa Rica’s national animal is one you have probably seen – especially if you live in North America!
The Costa Rican national animal is the white-tailed deer, which you’ll learn more about in this basic wildlife guide.
White-Tailed Deer
The white-tailed deer, or Odocoileus virginianus, is a medium-sized species of deer native to areas of North, Central, and South America. Distinguishable by their slightly reddish summer coats and silver-brown winter coats, white-tailed deer are best known for their name-sake feature: their white tail. When white-tailed deer sense a threat nearby, they signal to their herd by flashing the pure-white underside of their tails. Running through the forests, white-tailed deer are exceptionally well camouflaged, but their tails give them away if you are paying attention.
Description
Typically between 2-4 feet high at the shoulder, white-tailed deer are similar in size to a large or midsize dog and can weigh between 100 and 150 pounds when fully grown. However, in Costa Rica, most adult bucks reach only around 80-100 lbs.
In contrast to their reddish-brown fur, their eyes, throat, and tails are bright white, and young fawns feature bright white spots. Males grow impressive pronged antlers which they drop in the coldest winter months and regrow each spring. Adults have spindly legs and stout bodies, which help them to move quickly and carefully through tangled underbrush. In open fields, white-tails can reach speeds of up to 30 miles per hour.
Habitat
White-tailed deer live in covered areas of forest and graze in large fields or open sources of vegetation. Preferring to stick to areas that feature shrubs, trees, and bushes to provide cover, white-tailed deer can also be found near water sources like streams and rivers.
Food Sources
White-tailed deer are herbivores and eat only plants and local vegetation. Common sources of food include nuts, berries, twigs, leaves, mushrooms, grasses, bark, flowers, and other edible plants.
History
The white-tailed deer was declared Costa Rica’s national animal in 1995 by then-President José María Figueres Olsen. Found in abundance in Costa Rica’s rainforests, the white-tail saw a short period of endangerment before a country-wide poaching ban allowed numbers to rise once again. Chosen for its association with strength, peace, and prosperity, the white-tailed deer is said to glorify the spirit of Costa Rica and its wildlife.
