FLORA & FAUNA

FLORA
The biological kingdoms of temperate North America and tropical South America converge in Central America and the two largest oceans on the planet are separated thus creating extraordinary biological diversity with one of the richest life systems on Earth. Guatemala with its extreme geographically and varying altitudes has plant and animal species in 14 specific life zones. 14% of these are found nowhere else in the world.

It is also home to the Earth's richest flora with an estimated 8,000 species of vascular plants. More info on species extintion >>

FLORA OF ATITLAN
Tropical dry forest, coniferas and latifoliadas, rain and cloud forests, mixed forest, with 798 plant species of which 61 are endemic. 160 of these are flowering plants. Oak, cedar, pine, conifer, chaparral, avocado, jicote, matasano, kapok, wild fig, acacia, alder, chichicaste, guachipilin, palo de la cruz, palo de jiote, ceibillo, castilian cane, water reeds, Bromiliad and epiphyte such as fern and orchid. The cacti, agave, maguey, nopal, pitahaya, and tuna.

FAUNA
Guatemala has over 214 species of reptiles of these 12 are endemic. (17 turtle, 3 crocodile, 75 lizard and 119 snake). 113 species of amphibians of which 4 are endemic. ( 2 caecilian, 33 salamander, 77 frog, and 1 toad). 250 species of mammals including marine mammals of which 4 are endemic. 669 species of birds of which 5 are endemic and 134 migratory birds. Guatemala has 220 species of fresh water fish of which 30 are endemic. 808 species of fauna, many of which are endemic are in danger of extinction. 130 of these are in noted in The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species.(CITIES)

FAUNA OF ATITLAN
The regions rich and unique biodiversity includes 116 species of reptiles and amphibians of which 12 species are endemic.141 species of mammals of which 7 are endemic. Puma, squirrel, pig, deer, deer mouse, margay, gray fox, armadillo, spider monkey, opossum, bat, coatimundi, tecuazine, central american ring tail, northern racoon, kinkajou, rabbit, coyote, weasel, skunk, and otter cat.

BIRDS OF ATITLAN
236 bird species of which 12 species are endemic. This area is a key migrational corridor for neotropical migratory birds as well as a refuge for resident endangered species such as the resplendent quetzal and the horned guan. Many migrants such as the hummingbird, tanager, and oriole are essentially tropical having originally evolved in the neotropics and only later extending their range into North America in search of food and better nesting grounds. Other birds include the pink-headed warbler, yellow warbler, brown-backed solitaire, blue-throated toucanet, azure-rumped tanager, pied-billed grebe, ruddy duck, american widgeon and american coot, red-tailed hawk, melodious blackbird, brown pelican, yellow-throated tiger heron, southern house wren, clay colored robin, buffy-fronted wood partridge, wild pigeon, common raven, baltimore oriole, blue-gray tanager, rufous collared sparrow, brown capped vireo, little hermit hummingbird, golden-fronted woodpecker, chestnut-sided shrike vireo, white - bellied emerald hummingbird, thicket tinamou, fulvous owl, singing quail, grey-necked wood-rail, anhinga, northern jacana, seagull, kingfisher and road runner.

FISH OF LAKE ATITLAN
Mojarra are native to the lake. Tilapia and silver carp were introduced as were the predatory largemouth black bass in 1958 which caused a reduction of the native fish population and led to the extinction of the giant grebe. Crabs and shellfish are found along the shores.