There are many species of mammals like howler monkeys,
capuchins, spider monkeys, anteaters, pumas, ocelots, pacas, agoutis,
squirrels and jaguars.
Birds like eagles, hawks, hummingbirds, woodpeckers,
macaws, parrots, guans and toucans. Reptiles and amphibians are mostly
frogs and toads but there are also caimans, snakes and turtles.
Mammals of the tropical dry forest
include howler monkeys, capuchins, jaguars, pumas, ocelots, deer.
Within the birds are anis, tanagers, caciques, cuckoos, caracaras,
hawks, swallows and falcons. Reptiles include crocodiles, anacondas,
green iguanas, lizards and various snakes.
Mangrove forests provide shelter for a wide
variety of fish, shellfish, mollusks, wildfowl and threatened marine
mammals. We can find frigate birds, herons, pelicans, terns, crocodiles,
iguanas, lizards and many crustaceans, especially the blue crab.
In the inter-Andean valleys we have goats, weasels,
wolves, mouse opossums, bats, skunks, and several rodents, hummingbirds,
blackbirds, doves, some lizards and green frogs. A recent study has
shown an alarming decrease in the number of frogs in Ecuador's highlands.
Scientist believe that as a result of the semi-porous skin of frogs
they are the most susceptible creatures to environmental change. Frogs
are the venerable "canaries in the coal mine" for global
environmental change.
In the ecosystem of the paramo there are rabbits,
wolves, deer, rodents, hummingbirds, condors, caracaras, hawks, gulls,
swifts, tanagers and the endangered spectacled bears.
