Getting up before dawn we scoured the beach for signs of hatching turtles. The eggs had been laid approximately 45-50 days previously and the hatchlings were emerging and making their way down the beach. It's a perilous journey as many predators have learned that large numbers of turtles make this journey every dawn over this period. Vultures, crabs and frigate birds patrolled this stretch of sand looking for a snack. Once in the water their troubles aren't over as many aquatic predators see this tiny reptiles as a ready meal as well. Even so, it was great relief to see them reach the Pacific ocean to start the next leg of their incredible journeys.

Click on the picture to the left to see the Turtle's trek.

These cute little amphibians shine out in the forest like jewels, advertising their unpalatable and sometimes deadly taste. Some are more toxic than others and it is thought that they generate their toxins from the arthropods in their diet so most species reared in captivity are non-toxic. The most toxic frog is the Golden Poison Frog that in the wild can generate enough toxin to kill 10-20 humans or two African bull elephants.

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