La Selva, Costa Rica — Samantha Monier, PhD

La Selva Biological Research Station

As an undergraduate, I visited Costa Rica as part of of tropical ecology field methods course

Orb weaver

Leaf cutter ants are one of the only animals besides humans that cultivate their own food. They don't eat the leaves directly, but use the leaves to grow their own fungal gardens. Workers cut and carry the leaves while the smaller caste, the mi… — Leaf cutter ants are one of the only animals besides humans that cultivate their own food. They don't eat the leaves directly, but use the leaves to grow their own fungal gardens. Workers cut and carry the leaves while the smaller caste, the minims, hitch a ride back to the nest on top of the leaf, prepping and protecting it

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LatentStyleCount="276">… — A well camouflaged basilisk

After dark, this mantid (above) and sphinx month (below) were attracted to the UV light shining over a white sheet — After dark, this mantid (above) and sphinx month (below) were attracted to the UV light we shined over a white sheet

Nicknamed the blue jeans poison dart frog because it looks like it's wearing pants. This frog carries a tadpole on her back, about to deposit it in a bromeliad full of rain water. A video of this species vocalizing can be downloaded here — Nicknamed the “blue jeans” poison dart frog because it looks like it's wearing pants. This frog carries a tadpole on her back, about to deposit it in a bromeliad full of rain water. A video of this species vocalizing can be downloaded here

Eye lash viper

Two tent making bats roosting in the underside of a leaf! These bats use their teeth to perforate a leaf such that it folds in on itself, creating a "tent" for the bats to sleep in — Two tent making bats roosting in the underside of a leaf. These bats use their teeth to perforate a leaf such that it folds in on itself, creating a "tent" for the bats to sleep in

&nbs… — Peccary

Accidentally snapped a photo of this howler monkey urinating! These guys are called howlers for a good reason, click here to hear them vocalizing

Capuchin monkey, foraging up in the trees

Stumbled upon this monkey skull while out for a hike

Heliconias

Overnight flood at the field station. While most of the water had receded by morning, mud lines on the trees show just how high the water level was (below)

Known as the walking palm, this tree is mobile! It grows new shoots in one direction while killing off roots in the opposite direction, allowing the tree to exploit light gaps and other resources

Invasive pink bananas

Bananas

Overnight flood at the field station (below). While most of the water had receded by morning, mud lines on the trees show just how high the water level was (left)

Easily the best food I've had at a filed station! — Easily some of the food I’ve had at a field station