Animals in El Salvador

El Salvador is a small country in Latin America. In fact, it is the smallest country in the continent. With a population of more than 5 million, it is the most densely populated country in that part of the world despite its size.

However, this does not mean that there is little that this country can offer. The wildlife here is among the most diverse in the world. There are a lot of species in El Salvador that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. For example, several endemic species of insects thrive in the rain forests of the country. This, of course, means that the existence of plentiful six-legged creatures mean that the food web is well supplied. Thus, bigger predators can also thrive here.

Ocelots, medium-sized wild cats which are relatively larger than the domesticated species, live in El Salvador's rainforests, although they are now classified as endangered. Another flamboyant inhabitant of the rainforest is the Torogoz, the national bird of El Salvador. It is, indeed, a very beautiful bird to behold. Although it may seem ordinary at first glance, it is in their mating when they show off their unique grace.

Another animal unique to the country is the convict cichlid. It is a freshwater fish that thrives in Lake Coatepeque. Another unique fish native to El Salvador is the spectre goby which dwells the Fonseca Gulf.

It must be noted that El Salvador is the only country in Latin America that has no Mediterranean shore. This is because the country is landlocked from the east by bigger countries like Guatemala and Honduras. Despite this, El Salvador's climate and geography allows for the existence of numerous species of turtles, birds, and fish that can be found nowhere else in the world.

However, much needs to be done by the government in order to protect these species.