But with some of nature’s most incredible spectacles on the country’s doorstep, there are a few Colombian animals that will always make it worth your while. Don’t miss these:
Humpback Whales
Photo: Wikipedia
Colombia is one of the best places in the world to see humpback whales, which migrate to the warm waters off the country’s Pacific coast every year to mate and give birth. July, August and September are the best months to see these incredible beasts heave themselves out of the water and enjoy the rugged beauty of this region.
Sloths
Photo: Wikipedia
Sloths are probably the most loveable creature in Colombia, famous for their three distinctive toes and the fact they move so slowly. Sloths never look agitated or upset and it’s worth travelling all the way to Colombia’s Amazon rainforest just to see these gentle leaf-eaters in their natural habitat, high up in the trees.
Pink Dolphins
Photo: R Ruiz.
River dolphins are famous in Amazon folklore for they are said to turn into handsome young men at night, seducing the local girls and making them pregnant. And these freshwater dolphins are worth taking a boat trip on the Amazon to see. They’re huge – up to 2.5m (8.2 ft) – and are either light grey or carnation pink.
Sea Turtles
Photo: Wikipedia
Colombia has a way with giant water beasts and watching the country’s enormous sea turtles crawl onto the beach to lay their eggs is a sight you’ll never forget. Leatherback turtles can live for up to 100 years, laying their eggs annually on some of Colombia’s least known Caribbean beaches. February to July are the best months to see them.
Sharks
Photo: Wikipedia
Colombia is home to sharks’ paradise – the small, uninhabited island of Malpelo, around 500km (310 miles) west of Colombia’s Pacific coast. Its waters are home to a unique population of sharks, including hammerheads, silky sharks and the rare smalltooth sand tiger. If diving is your thing, don’t miss the chance to see them.
Crabs
Photo: Wikipedia
Once a year, for just two weeks, heavily pregnant black land crabs emerge from their holes on Providencia Island and head to the sea to deposit their eggs. When their tiny offspring hatch, they migrate back up the beach. This incredible sight has become so precious, the migrating crabs now have their own military protection.
Want to experience the full might of what nature has to offer? The answer is Colombia. If you liked this article please feel free to share it on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+ or any of your social networks.
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