Colombia is a country in South America characterized by regions of rain forests, Amazon jungle, Andean areas and coast. With such a geographical variety, there are many animal species that make life in each of the ecosystems.
Despite this we alth of plants, there are animals in danger of extinction in Colombia If you want to know what they are and the reasons that threaten their survival, then you cannot miss this article on our site, in which we show the most endangered animal species.
1. Colombian Litter Lizard
The Colombian Litter Lizard (Riama columbiana) is a species that inhabits the wooded areas around Palmira and Guadalajara de Buga. It presents a black or dark brown coloration on the skin, with some dorsal scales in paler tones. It has terrestrial habits and the number of living specimens is unknown, although the species is considered in danger of extinction.
Its main threat is agriculture and the effects it produces on the ecosystem, such as deforestation and pollution from the use of pesticides.
two. Colombian Toad
The Colombian toad (Atelopus minutulus) is a species that is distributed in the swamps of a small area near El Calvario. The species is greenish in color, medium in size, and has inconspicuous spikes protruding from its back. It is considered to be in critical state of extinction, since there are no exact data on the population that inhabits the area, although it is believed that only around 50 individuals are still alive.
The species is threatened due to the destruction of its habitat due to the action of agriculture and the introduction of non-native species into the ecosystem.
3. Spectacled Bear
The spectacled bear (Tremarctos ornatus) is another animal in danger of extinction in Colombia, although it is distributed not only in some areas of this country, but also in the areas that occupy the Andean mountain range in Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia. It reaches almost 2 meters tall and is characterized by a dark coat coloration, either black or brown, with a strip of lighter spots descending from the eyes to the abdomen.
It is estimated that there are around 10,000 individuals, but their population is gradually declining. The species is classified as vulnerable, which means that it is threatened but not critically endangered. Its threats are the expansion of the agriculture, the mining exploitation, the construction of highways and the climate changes that produce modifications in its ecosystem.
4. Lynch's Tree Frog
Lynch's tree frog (Hyloscirtus lynchi) is an amphibian whose population is distributed only in a small area of the Juan Rodríguez region and south of Santander. It is characterized by a bright brownish color, but few sightings of this species have been made. The frog lives in swampy areas and humid Colombian forests, but the number of living individuals is unknown, despite the certainty that its population is decreasing.
The main threats of the tree frog are the effect of agriculturein the area, the construction of land routes and the introduction of unknown species in the area.
5. Colombian woolly monkey
Another of Colombia's critically endangered animals is the Colombian woolly monkey (Lagothrix lugens), a species of primate that It is distributed in several areas of the country, such as the Eastern and Central Cordillera, in addition to San Lucas and Tolima. The species weighs around 11 kilos and is 72 centimeters tall. In addition, it has an intense brown fur coloration that becomes darker at the extremities. Its tail is prehensile, which allows it to hang from trees to move around.
The species prefers to live in forests, although its population is decreasing. There are several threats of the Colombian woolly monkey: the hunting to consume its meat, the expansion of cities, agriculture and highway construction
6. Mountain Thrush
The mountain thrush (Macroagelaius subalaris) is another of Colombia's animals that lives in the forests of the Colombian Andean mountain range, where it feeds on insects and some berries. It is only 30 centimeters long and has bluish-black plumage and a black beak.
It is estimated that there are between 600 and 1700 individuals in the wild The species is in danger of extinction in Colombia due to the expansion of cities, the effect of agriculture in the area and the exploitation of natural resources.
7. Night monkey
The night monkey (Aotus lemurinus) is found in some areas of the forests that surround Bucaramanga and Cali, in Colombia, as well as inhabiting some areas of Ecuador. It is characterized by a round head crossed by two black stripes, large and bright eyes, and grayish fur on the rest of the body. Its population is declining, but the exact number of individuals that currently exists is unknown.
The species is considered in a vulnerable state due to the destruction of its habitat due to the expansion of cities, the use of resources of the area and the development of agricultural activities.
8. Colombian Billed Toad
The Colombian beaked toad (Rhinella nicefori) inhabits the forests of Yarumal, Angostura and the surroundings of Carolina, in the province of Antioquía. It has a dark brown coloration, which allows it to blend in with its surroundings. It is another of Colombia's animals in danger of extinction, although it is unknown how many individuals the population amounts to.
This toad is threatened due to the effect of agricultural exploitation in the area and the changes typical of theglobal warming , which have deteriorated their habitat.
9. White-headed marmoset
Without a doubt, one of the most curious animals in Colombia. Unfortunately, it is also part of the country's endangered species list due to several factors. The white-headed marmoset (Saguinus oedipus) is distributed between the forests of Cartagena, Sucre and Córdoba. It is characterized by having a long fur of varied color: brown back, head and limbs with silky white strands and orange tail ending in a dark tip. It feeds on fruits, leaves and small lizards.
It is considered critically endangered and the number of individuals in the wild is unknown, as the population is declining. The marmoset monkey is threatened by the effect of agriculture in the area, the expansion of cities that destroys its habitat, and the exploitation of natural resources.
10. Colombian Electric Ray
We finalize the list of the most endangered animals in Colombia with the Colombian electric ray (Diplobatis colombiensis), a species of fish that inhabits the waters of the Caribbean Sea that surround the country's coast. Measures about 20 centimeters from the head to the tip of the tail, it has a cinnamon coloration with paler spots around the eyes and in various parts of the disk. It reaches depths of up to 10 meters in its dives.
It is considered to be in a vulnerable state and the number of individuals that exist is unknown. The species is threatened by indiscriminate fishing and the effects produced in the sea by activities for the use of the natural resources it offers.
