Tapantí National Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tapantí - Cerro de la Muerte Massif National Park |
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IUCN Category II (National Park)
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Waterfall seen from the visitor observatory
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| Location | Costa Rica |
| Nearest city | Cartago |
| Area | 583.20 square kilometres (225.17 sq mi) |
| Established | February 1, 1982 |
| Governing body | National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC) |
| Parque Nacional Tapantí | |
| Official name: Turberas de Talamanca | |
| Designated: | 2 February 2003 |
| Reference #: | 1286 |
The Tapantí - Cerro de la Muerte Massif National Park is a special protected area in Costa Rica. Its name in Spanish is Parque Nacional Tapantí - Macizo Cerro de la Muerte. This national park is found in the Central Conservation Area. It sits near the Talamanca Mountain Range, close to the city of Cartago.
The park helps protect important forests north of Chirripó National Park. It also includes part of the Orosí River. The area called Cerro de la Muerte Massif became part of the park on January 14, 2000. A highway, Route 2, also known as the South Inter-American Highway, forms part of the park's border. Across this road, you can find Los Quetzales National Park and Los Santos Forest Reserve.
Contents
Amazing Plants and Animals in Tapantí
This large park covers about 583 square kilometers (225 square miles). It has two main types of rainforests: lower montane rain forest and pre-montane rain forest. These forests are home to many different kinds of life.
Mammals Living in the Park
About 45 different types of mammals live here. Some of the cool animals you might find include:
- The Baird's tapir, a large animal that looks a bit like a pig.
- Kinkajous, which are small, tree-dwelling mammals.
- White-faced capuchin monkeys, known for their cleverness.
- Pacas and agoutis, which are types of rodents.
- Ocelots and jaguarundis, which are wild cats.
Birds of Tapantí
The park is a paradise for birds, with around 400 different species! Some of the beautiful birds you can spot are:
- Sparrow hawks, which are small birds of prey.
- Resplendent quetzals, famous for their bright colors and long tail feathers.
- Emerald toucanets, a smaller type of toucan.
- Violaceous trogons, another colorful bird species.
Reptiles, Amphibians, and Insects
You can also find 28 different kinds of reptiles and amphibians in the park. The park has a huge number of insects. One very special insect here is the thysania agrippina. This is the largest moth in all of North and South America!
Tiny Orchid Discoveries
In 2009, scientists found three brand new types of Lepanthes orchids in the park. So far, this park is the only place in the world where these tiny orchids grow. All three species are very small, less than 5 millimeters long. Their names are L. graciosa, L. machogaffensis, and L. pelvis. A team from the Lankester Botanical Garden and the University of Costa Rica discovered them.
Tapantí's Special Wetland Area
Part of the park is recognized as a Ramsar site. Ramsar sites are wetlands that are very important for nature around the world. This specific area is called Turberas de Talamanca. It is shared with other protected areas like Chirripó National Park, Los Quetzales National Park, Macho River Forest Reserve, Vueltas Hill Biological Reserve, and Los Santos Forest Reserve.
