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Breathtaking Images of Unique Wildlife in Honduras’ Mosquitia Rainforest

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Stunning Photos of Rare Creatures Found Deep in Honduras’ Mosquitia Rainforest

Published 10:45 AM EDT, Fri June 21, 2019

<strong>Red-eyed tree frog:</strong> A team of scientists visited an archeological site in Honduras' Mosquitia rainforest. While there, they spotted several rare animals. The red-eyed tree frog was one of 22 amphibian species documented.
Red-eyed tree frog: A team of scientists visited an archeological site in Honduras’ Mosquitia rainforest. While there, they spotted several rare animals. The red-eyed tree frog was one of 22 amphibian species documented.
<strong>Lush vegetation: </strong>Expedition leader Trond Larsen tells CNN Travel that it's a beautiful spot: "a very lush forest, crystal-clear stream cascades; it's extremely picturesque."
<strong>Lush vegetation: </strong>Expedition leader Trond Larsen tells CNN Travel that it’s a beautiful spot: “a very lush forest, crystal-clear stream cascades; it’s extremely picturesque.”
<strong>Great curassow:</strong> The scientists decided to visit following the recent rediscovery of the ruins, in 2012: "The impetus for this expedition was really driven by the fact that these amazing archaeological discoveries were made at this site not too many years ago," says Larsen.
<strong>Great curassow:</strong> The scientists decided to visit following the recent rediscovery of the ruins, in 2012: “The impetus for this expedition was really driven by the fact that these amazing archaeological discoveries were made at this site not too many years ago,” says Larsen.
<strong>Rare occurrence:</strong> Larsen and his team witnessed an ornate hawk-eagle prey upon an endangered great green macaw.
<strong>Rare occurrence:</strong> Larsen and his team witnessed an ornate hawk-eagle prey upon an endangered great green macaw.
<strong>Mexican climbing salamander: </strong>The Bolitoglossa mexicana salamander is often spotted in North America -- but it's less commonly found in the Neotropics.
<strong>Mexican climbing salamander: </strong>The Bolitoglossa mexicana salamander is often spotted in North America — but it’s less commonly found in the Neotropics.
<strong>Water crabs</strong>: In the beautiful streams, water crabs were spotted. The team says they provide important food for many animals, including the endangered Neotropical river otter.
<strong>Water crabs</strong>: In the beautiful streams, water crabs were spotted. The team says they provide important food for many animals, including the endangered Neotropical river otter.
<strong>Coral tree snake:</strong> The false tree coral snake was thought to be extinct in Honduras -- until it was rediscovered on this expedition.
<strong>Coral tree snake:</strong> The false tree coral snake was thought to be extinct in Honduras — until it was rediscovered on this expedition.
<strong>Jaguar: </strong>The team took this shot of a jaguar at Ciudad Blanca. Jaguars in the area have fallen victim to deforestation, habitat loss and overhunting.
<strong>Jaguar: </strong>The team took this shot of a jaguar at Ciudad Blanca. Jaguars in the area have fallen victim to deforestation, habitat loss and overhunting.
<strong>Rediscovered species:</strong> The tiger beetle was thought to be virtually extinct -- it had previously been recorded at a single site in Nicaragua. The beetle was rediscovered during the expedition.
<strong>Rediscovered species:</strong> The tiger beetle was thought to be virtually extinct — it had previously been recorded at a single site in Nicaragua. The beetle was rediscovered during the expedition.
<strong>Pale-faced bat</strong>: The team also spotted the pale-faced bat, last documented in Honduras in 1942.
<strong>Pale-faced bat</strong>: The team also spotted the pale-faced bat, last documented in Honduras in 1942.
<strong>Worm salamander:</strong> On the scientific expedition, team members spotted a species of worm salamander. It's high on the list of conservation priorities as it's very vulnerable.
<strong>Worm salamander:</strong> On the scientific expedition, team members spotted a species of worm salamander. It’s high on the list of conservation priorities as it’s very vulnerable.
<strong>Male Harlequin beetle</strong>: Larsen says he particularly enjoys admiring insects and beetles: "I'm fascinated with the smaller creatures that represent so much of the biodiversity around us," he says.
<strong>Male Harlequin beetle</strong>: Larsen says he particularly enjoys admiring insects and beetles: “I’m fascinated with the smaller creatures that represent so much of the biodiversity around us,” he says.
<strong>Adventurers: </strong>The team from Conservation International's Rapid Assessment Program (RAP) on site in Honduras.
<strong>Adventurers: </strong>The team from Conservation International’s Rapid Assessment Program (RAP) on site in Honduras.
<strong>White-lipped peccaries</strong>: "What I was most surprised about was the high abundance of white-lipped peccaries," says Larsen. "They need such huge areas and move across [such] wide landscapes to survive that we did not expect to find them there."
<strong>White-lipped peccaries</strong>: “What I was most surprised about was the high abundance of white-lipped peccaries,” says Larsen. “They need such huge areas and move across [such] wide landscapes to survive that we did not expect to find them there.”
<strong>Morpho butterfly:</strong> The team took this incredible shot of a morpho helenor butterfly -- one of the largest butterflies in the world, with wings spanning from five to eight inches.
<strong>Morpho butterfly:</strong> The team took this incredible shot of a morpho helenor butterfly — one of the largest butterflies in the world, with wings spanning from five to eight inches.
<strong>Living in nature</strong>: The team slept in tents and hammocks in the forest. "I like to get right in there, get down in the dirt, get in the water, search everywhere for as much as we can find," says Larsen.
<strong>Living in nature</strong>: The team slept in tents and hammocks in the forest. “I like to get right in there, get down in the dirt, get in the water, search everywhere for as much as we can find,” says Larsen.
<strong>Puma</strong>: Larsen also had an unexpected encounter with a puma. "I was on a night walk by myself in a very small tight narrow ravine and turned around and my head lamp illuminated these big glowing eyes," he recalls.
<strong>Puma</strong>: Larsen also had an unexpected encounter with a puma. “I was on a night walk by myself in a very small tight narrow ravine and turned around and my head lamp illuminated these big glowing eyes,” he recalls.

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