Selva+Verde+Lodge

We are staying at Selva Verde Lodge in Sarapiqui, Costa Rica which is located in the Caribbean lowland area of Costa Rica. This area of Costa Rica is known for it's amazingly rich biodiversity. it is also the home of the endangered Green Macaw and a number of nature reserves and natural parks. last night we went to the Tirimbina Biological Reserve which offered an educational program for us on bats. we learned how important bats are to the ecosystems of Earth.Bats are represented by approximately 1100 species which is approximately 20 percent of all existing animals. Bats account for 50 percent of all mammals in Costa Rica. We learned about vampire bats, which are only found in Central America, brown bats, fruit eating bats, white bats which make tents under leaves ( they actually were pretty cute) and bats with long snouts they use to smell the fruit and nectar of the flowers. Bats live everywhere but Antarctic. Bats are an important indicator of ecological health of environments. they pollinate and disperse seeds. There are many plants in Costa Rica that are dependent on bats for their survival. Many people are scared of bats but they are vital part of the environment.our guide showed us a white bat that looked like a fluffy white cotton ball,although he did not like being in the bag and a brown bat. We even got to pet the bats head! After we examined the bats we went outside and the guide released them and they flew away. We like bats because they eat lots of Mosquitos and pollinate tasty fruit!

Most of my students know that I am really afraid of snakes, so most places we have gone I have asked guides about the fer de lance which is one of the most venomous snakes in the world. The waiter at the Selva Verde Lodge, told us that he was walking on the concrete walkway and a snake came up behind him and was literally inches away fom biting him. Luckily he turned around and speared it in the head with his walking stick. I don't know if this is a tall tale to scare tourists but it scared me. They keep anti venom at the front desk. If a fer de lance bites you ,you have about 8 hours to get medical attantion before you die. The venom is a neurotoxin and has a necrotizing effect on your flesh so even if you do get the anti venom there is a pretty good chance that wherever you were bit may have to be amputated. They don't like to give the anti venom anywhere but in hospitals because if you have an allergic reaction to it, you die.