| The
area around Hakuna Matata and the property itself contain an overwhelming
number and variety of plant and animal species. Trees are covered with
eye-catching epiphytes like orchids and bromelias. On the verges you will
find the deliciously scented white flowered ginger. During the daytime,
a flock of clamorous toucans or parrots offer a really different experience. An observant hiker may find colorful little poison dart frogs on shady spots during the daytime. Lizards prefer more sunny spots. A walk after sunset increases your chances of meeting these animals. During rain periods, you may hear a concert of tree frogs near pools. Most snakes are active during the evening. It's quite possible you may discover a boa or a rainbow boa on one of your walks. Spot-bellied
poison dart frog
You
can find this small frog - barely an inch long - on the Hakuna Matata
property. It has spots on its stomach. These frogs drop their eggs and
tadpoles in bromelias. The name poison dart frog refers to the neurotoxic
skin poison these animals may secrete. This poison is used by certain
Indian tribes to rub arrowheads. A monkey or bird hit by an arrow will
soon suffer a cardiac arrest and fall from the tree. It's a noiseless
and efficient way of hunting. Ecuadorian
poison frog
This
poison frog reveals his presence by a series of short, two-tone whistles.
That's why he's called "bilinguis". They are often found between
fallen leaves in clearings in the woods and small cocoa plantations.
If you are lucky, you may see a small frog with tadpoles on its back,
on its way to drop them in a little pool. Only poison dart frogs transport
tadpoles on their back. Dwarf
clown tree frog
In
the evening this tree frog can be found in pools, along with lots of
other frog species and toads. The males make a loud, clicking sound.
At the beginning of spells of rain, females go to the pools to drop
their eggs. The male tries to quickly put a female in a hold, in order
to shunt other males off. In this way, he will be the only one able
to fertilize the eggs when the female pushes them out. Knudsen's
frog
In
the evening, this big frog may cross your path. It is a real ground
dweller that actively looks for food. He eats everything that moves
and fits his mouth. From beetles to small frogs and even small congeners. Rainbow
boa
If
you are lucky, you might see this big, non-poisonous snake in
the evening. It's a very beautifully marked snake, with a shiny skin
that shows all the colors of the rainbow by daylight. Just as with all
other snakes, they are useful animals because they eat all kinds of
harmful rats and mice. Banded
Cat-Eyed snake
In
the evening, the banded cat-eyed snake can be found on places where
frogs gather. It is a small, non-poisonous snake, who likes frogs and
frog eggs. If you catch it, it will secrete a smelly liquid, just like
the European grass snake. That's why a lots of natural enemies immediately
release this snake. Jan Verkade |
