Flora
Of the world's known 250,000 species of flowering plants, an estimated 15,000 - 17,000 are found in Central America. It is estimated Nicaragua is home to some 9,000 species of vascular plants, many of which are thought to be of medicinal value. But while a few areas are relatively well protected, little effort has been made to protect the rest, where the majority of the land set aside by the government continues to experience intense pressure from the agricultural fronts and the scattered human settlements within the confines of the reserves.
Fauna
Nicaragua is home to a great deal of exotic wildlife. To view fauna in their natural habitat involves getting out there, being very, very quiet and looking and listening. To date, 1,804 vertebrate species and 14,000 invertebrate species have been defined. However, Nicaragua remains the least studied country in the region.
There are three kinds of monkeys in Nicaragua: the nailed howler monkey, the Central American spider monkey and the white-faced capuchin. Of the monkeys, the howler is the most common. They are able to project their voices an incredible distance; you can easily hear them from several miles away. They eat fruits and leaves and spend most of their time in high tree branches. The white-faced capuchin is most frequently found in the forests in southeastern Nicaragua and parts of the Atlantic coast.
There are three kinds of monkeys in Nicaragua: the nailed howler monkey, the Central American spider monkey and the white-faced capuchin. Of the monkeys, the howler is the most common. They are able to project their voices an incredible distance; you can easily hear them from several miles away. They eat fruits and leaves and spend most of their time in high tree branches. The white-faced capuchin is most frequently found in the forests in southeastern Nicaragua and parts of the Atlantic coast.