Western slope of Andes at 2700m, Ecuador Photograph by © WWF-Canon/Kevin SCHAFER   Western South America: Northwest Colombia to southern Ecuador Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests   31,400 square miles (81,200 square kilometers) -- about the size of Maine Vulnerable

· Forests of Armor
· Special Features
· Did You Know?
· Wild Side
· Cause for Concern
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Forests of Armor

In the wilderness of the northern Andes, animals have found ways to shelter themselves, whether from this ecoregion’s ample rains or from its predators. Some have built-in suits of armor for protection--such as the species of armadillo, porcupine, and armored rat that can be found here.

Special Features

These forests are found on the western slope of the Andes Mountains from northwest Colombia southward to southern Ecuador (almost to the border of Peru). They occur from roughly 3,300 feet (1,000 m) on the western slope to the spinal mountain ridge at the highest elevations, where the forest transitions into páramo montane grasslands. The upper reaches of the Andes make it difficult for species to cross over to the east, so these forests share elements with Pacific coastal habitats, western Chocó rain forests, and even Central American forests. Flowering species are extremely diverse, and up to 300 species can be found in a single two-and-a-half acre (one hectare) tract. Rainfall here is high, creating one of the wettest regions on Earth.

	Hoffmann’s two-toed sloths live life upside down, hanging from tree branches by their long, sharp, powerful claws. The animals have long guard hairs that part along the belly, allowing rain to run off easily when they are upside down. The sloths’ grayish-brown coloration allows the animals to blend into their surroundings, helping to protect them from predators.

Wild Side

The mammals found high in this part of the northern Andes are suited to living in and among the trees. Hoffmann’s two-toed sloths and several species of monkeys—the white-throated capuchin, mantled howler monkey, and brown-headed spider monkey—can all be found eating leaves and seeking shelter in the dense, wet forest. Other mammals can be found scurrying along the ground, like the northern naked-tailed armadillo and Rothschild’s porcupine, or bounding across the landscape, like the red-brocket deer. Also found here are the elusive kinkajou (a tree-dwelling mammal), tayra (a weasel-like animal), crab-eating fox, tamandua ant eater, common opossum, Neotropical otter, four species of cats (ocelot, puma, margay, and jaguarundi), a large javelina called a collared peccary, and two hopping rodents (agouti, and paca). Many bird species are endemic to this ecoregion, including the Baudós guan, Colombian screech owl, toucan barbet, purplish-mantled tanager, and tanager-finch. Hummingbird species are also plentiful and varied, including the empress brilliant, brown inca, velvet-purple coronet, gorgeted sunangel, and critically endangered turquoise-throated puffleg.

Cause for Concern

Lower elevations have suffered major habitat loss due to logging, human settlement, agriculture, and grazing. Threats are reduced at higher elevations, which are less accessible. However, these areas are also under pressure as human settlements move closer. Hunting is also a major problem, especially for larger mammals and those that are attractive to the pet trade.

For more information on this ecoregion, go to the World Wildlife Fund Scientific Report.