Ciénaga de Zapata

🇨🇺 Cuba

🦎 Tocororo and Curly-tailed Lizard Wetland
🌍 #221 Global · 3.4 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #38 in Central America #10 in Wetlands & Mangrove
Matanzas, Cuba 479 spp. recorded

Zapata is the largest wetland in the Caribbean, a flat mosaic of swamp forest, sawgrass and flooded cave systems. Northern curly-tailed lizards run across every warm rock and Cuban sliders bask on the logs of the drainage channels.

22.030° N   81.329° W

Wildlife

SIGHTING PROBABILITY Share of citizen-science records from the park that report this species
<5%
Rare5–20%
With luck20–40%
Possible40–70%
Likely>70%
Very likely
ACTIVITY PATTERN
☀️ Diurnal 🌙 Nocturnal 🌅 Crepuscular ☀️🌙 Day & Night

⭐ Iconic Species

Cuban Trogon ★
LC Endemic

Cuban Trogon

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Priotelus temnurus

40–50% · Likely
Northern Curly-tailed Lizard ★
LC

Northern Curly-tailed Lizard

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Leiocephalus carinatus

50–60% · Likely
Cuban Slider ★
Endemic

Cuban Slider

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Trachemys decussata

30–40% · Possible
Cuban Treefrog ★
LC

Cuban Treefrog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Osteopilus septentrionalis

40–50% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Turkey Vulture
LC

Turkey Vulture

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cathartes aura

70–80% · Very likely
Cuban Emerald
LC

Cuban Emerald

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Riccordia ricordii

70–80% · Very likely
American Redstart
LC

American Redstart

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Setophaga ruticilla

60–70% · Likely
Red-legged Thrush
LC Endemic

Red-legged Thrush

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Turdus plumbeus

60–70% · Likely
Palm Warbler
LC

Palm Warbler

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Setophaga palmarum

60–70% · Likely
Greater Antillean Grackle
LC Endemic

Greater Antillean Grackle

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Quiscalus niger

50–60% · Likely
West Indian Woodpecker
LC Endemic

West Indian Woodpecker

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Melanerpes superciliaris

50–60% · Likely
Cuban Pewee
LC

Cuban Pewee

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Contopus caribaeus

50–60% · Likely
Cuban Blackbird

Cuban Blackbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Dives atroviolaceus

50–60% · Likely
Tawny-shouldered Blackbird
LC Endemic

Tawny-shouldered Blackbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Agelaius humeralis

50–60% · Likely
Northern Parula
LC

Northern Parula

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Setophaga americana

50–60% · Likely
Gray Catbird
LC

Gray Catbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Dumetella carolinensis

50–60% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Desmarest's Hutia
LC Endemic

Desmarest's Hutia

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Capromys pilorides

10–20% · With luck
Jamaican Fruit-eating Bat
LC

Jamaican Fruit-eating Bat

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Artibeus jamaicensis

Insufficient data
Eastern Cottontail
LC Endemic

Eastern Cottontail

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Sylvilagus floridanus

Insufficient data

⭐ Iconic Species

Cuban Trogon ★
LC Endemic

Cuban Trogon

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Priotelus temnurus

40–50% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Turkey Vulture
LC

Turkey Vulture

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cathartes aura

70–80% · Very likely
Cuban Emerald
LC

Cuban Emerald

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Riccordia ricordii

70–80% · Very likely
American Redstart
LC

American Redstart

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Setophaga ruticilla

60–70% · Likely
Red-legged Thrush
LC Endemic

Red-legged Thrush

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Turdus plumbeus

60–70% · Likely
Palm Warbler
LC

Palm Warbler

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Setophaga palmarum

60–70% · Likely
Greater Antillean Grackle
LC Endemic

Greater Antillean Grackle

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Quiscalus niger

50–60% · Likely
West Indian Woodpecker
LC Endemic

West Indian Woodpecker

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Melanerpes superciliaris

50–60% · Likely
Cuban Pewee
LC

Cuban Pewee

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Contopus caribaeus

50–60% · Likely
Cuban Blackbird

Cuban Blackbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Dives atroviolaceus

50–60% · Likely
Tawny-shouldered Blackbird
LC Endemic

Tawny-shouldered Blackbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Agelaius humeralis

50–60% · Likely
Northern Parula
LC

Northern Parula

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Setophaga americana

50–60% · Likely
Gray Catbird
LC

Gray Catbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Dumetella carolinensis

50–60% · Likely

⭐ Iconic Species

Northern Curly-tailed Lizard ★
LC

Northern Curly-tailed Lizard

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Leiocephalus carinatus

50–60% · Likely
Cuban Slider ★
Endemic

Cuban Slider

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Trachemys decussata

30–40% · Possible

📊 Most Spotted

Cuban Curlytail Lizard
LC Endemic

Cuban Curlytail Lizard

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Leiocephalus cubensis

30–40% · Possible
Allison's Anole
LC

Allison's Anole

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Anolis allisoni

30–40% · Possible
Cuban Green Anole
LC

Cuban Green Anole

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Anolis porcatus

30–40% · Possible
Knight Anole
LC

Knight Anole

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Anolis equestris

30–40% · Possible
Cuban Crocodile
CR Endemic

Cuban Crocodile

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Crocodylus rhombifer

30–40% · Possible
Brown Anole
LC

Brown Anole

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Anolis sagrei

30–40% · Possible
Cuban Racer
LC Endemic

Cuban Racer

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Cubophis cantherigerus

30–40% · Possible
Cayman Islands Ground Iguana
VU Endemic

Cayman Islands Ground Iguana

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Cyclura nubila

20–30% · Possible
Habana Anole
LC Endemic

Habana Anole

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Anolis homolechis

20–30% · Possible
Auber's Ameiva
LC

Auber's Ameiva

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Pholidoscelis auberi

20–30% · Possible
Tropical House Gecko
LC

Tropical House Gecko

🌙 Nocturnal Reptile

Hemidactylus mabouia

Insufficient data
Cuban Tree Boa
LC Endemic

Cuban Tree Boa

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Chilabothrus angulifer

Insufficient data

⭐ Iconic Species

Cuban Treefrog ★
LC

Cuban Treefrog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Osteopilus septentrionalis

40–50% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Eastern Giant Toad
LC Endemic

Eastern Giant Toad

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Peltophryne peltocephala

Insufficient data
Zapata toad
EN Endemic

Zapata toad

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Peltophryne florentinoi

Insufficient data
Greenhouse Frog
LC

Greenhouse Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Eleutherodactylus planirostris

Insufficient data
Pinos Robber Frog
VU Endemic

Pinos Robber Frog

Amphibian

Eleutherodactylus pinarensis

Insufficient data

Animal Events

🐸

Tree Frogs and Toads in the Rains

FebMarApr

Cuban tree frogs and Cuban giant toads breed in every flooded hollow and call through the night.

Cuban Treefrog
LC

Cuban Treefrog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Osteopilus septentrionalis

40–50% · Likely
🦎

Lizards and Sliders in the Dry Months

AugSep

Northern curly-tailed lizards hold the open rock and Cuban sliders line the channel banks.

Northern Curly-tailed Lizard
LC

Northern Curly-tailed Lizard

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Leiocephalus carinatus

50–60% · Likely
Cuban Slider
Endemic

Cuban Slider

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Trachemys decussata

30–40% · Possible
🐦

Tocororo and Migrant Warblers

MayJunDec

The tocororo calls from the forest edges while American redstarts and other migrants fill the woodland.

American Redstart
LC

American Redstart

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Setophaga ruticilla

60–70% · Likely
Cuban Trogon
LC Endemic

Cuban Trogon

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Priotelus temnurus

40–50% · Likely

Sighting Calendar

Chance of spotting each species, month by month

Months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Species Total
50–60
50–60
60–70
50–60
40–50
40–50
50–60
50–60
50–60
40–50
50–60
50–60
Cuban Trogon
30–40
40–50
40–50
50–60
60–70
50–60
60–70
50–60
50–60
20–30
40–50
20–30
Northern Curly-tailed Lizard
30–40
50–60
50–60
60–70
30–40
50–60
40–50
70–80
60–70
50–60
40–50
30–40
Cuban Slider
30–40
20–30
20–30
40–50
20–30
40–50
40–50
10–20
80–90
20–30
30–40
30–40
Cuban Treefrog
40–50
30–40
50–60
40–50
30–40
20–30
20–30
70–80
20–30
20–30
30–40
30–40
Turkey Vulture
70–80
80–90
70–80
50–60
80–90
70–80
80–90
60–70
70–80
50–60
70–80
80–90
Cuban Emerald
60–70
70–80
80–90
70–80
80–90
50–60
80–90
70–80
60–70
70–80
70–80
70–80
American Redstart
70–80
70–80
60–70
60–70
20–30
20–30
10–20
20–30
40–50
80–90
60–70
80–90
Red-legged Thrush
60–70
50–60
60–70
60–70
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
70–80
40–50
60–70
50–60
Palm Warbler
70–80
70–80
60–70
30–40
10–20
20–30
10–20
10–20
40–50
40–50
60–70
70–80
Greater Antillean Grackle
50–60
50–60
70–80
70–80
80–90
60–70
70–80
60–70
50–60
20–30
50–60
40–50
West Indian Woodpecker
50–60
50–60
60–70
70–80
60–70
70–80
80–90
50–60
60–70
30–40
40–50
50–60
Cuban Pewee
60–70
50–60
60–70
40–50
50–60
40–50
50–60
60–70
60–70
40–50
50–60
60–70
Cuban Blackbird
50–60
50–60
60–70
50–60
60–70
50–60
50–60
40–50
40–50
40–50
60–70
50–60
Tawny-shouldered Blackbird
50–60
60–70
50–60
60–70
60–70
40–50
70–80
60–70
60–70
30–40
50–60
40–50
Northern Parula
50–60
60–70
40–50
30–40
5–10
20–30
10–20
40–50
50–60
50–60
70–80
60–70
Gray Catbird
60–70
70–80
50–60
50–60
10–20
20–30
10–20
10–20
30–40
20–30
40–50
50–60
Animal Events
🐸 Tree Frogs and Toads in the Rains
🦎 Lizards and Sliders in the Dry Months
🐦 Tocororo and Migrant Warblers

Sighting Zones

Warm areas are where all species together are recorded most, so they track where people go as much as where animals are. For one species, see the map on its own page.

0.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ Good
🦎 Tocororo and Curly-tailed Lizard Wetland

Where Wildlife Score

How good is this park for seeing wildlife?
🦜

Biodiversity

Good

How rich is the wildlife?

4.3 Global avg
3.6 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
Species by taxon
🦅 Birds
347
🐒 Mammals
65
🦎 Reptiles
51
🐸 Amphibians
16
479 Total Species
850 Global average across 296 parks
36 Threatened 118 Endemic
🔭

Sighting

Good

How likely to see animals?

3.6 Global avg
3.1 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
🎯
Top-12 Avg Probability
62% Global avg
61%
📊
Coverage (161 species at ≥5% of 479 in the inventory)
24% Global avg
34%
🔀
Taxon variety in top 12 (12 bird)
46% Global avg
0%
🔭
Species per 10 outings (distinct species a visitor would meet over 10 outings — effort held equal across parks)
134 Global avg
124
🌟
Iconic-group species (≥15%) (every species from the 19 iconic groups — monkeys, cats, toucans, macaws, sloths, crocodilians… — not just the 4 highlighted above)
15 Global avg
6
⭐
High-prob species (>40%)
27 Global avg
29

Quick answers

What animals can you see in Ciénaga de Zapata?

The most likely sightings are Turkey Vulture (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), Cuban Emerald (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), American Redstart (seen by 60–70% of wildlife watchers), Red-legged Thrush (seen by 60–70% of wildlife watchers), Palm Warbler (seen by 60–70% of wildlife watchers) — among 479 recorded vertebrate species, based on citizen-science data from GBIF.

When is the best time to visit Ciénaga de Zapata for wildlife?

March has the highest combined sighting rate for the park's top species in our month-by-month GBIF data. The full sighting calendar on this page shows each species' best months.

Can you see Cuban Trogon in Ciénaga de Zapata?

Yes — about 43% of wildlife watchers report a Cuban Trogon sighting in Ciénaga de Zapata, based on 697 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Northern Curly-tailed Lizard in Ciénaga de Zapata?

Yes — about 52% of wildlife watchers report a Northern Curly-tailed Lizard sighting in Ciénaga de Zapata, based on 33 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Cuban Slider in Ciénaga de Zapata?

Yes — about 35% of wildlife watchers report a Cuban Slider sighting in Ciénaga de Zapata, based on 15 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Cuban Treefrog in Ciénaga de Zapata?

Yes — about 43% of wildlife watchers report a Cuban Treefrog sighting in Ciénaga de Zapata, based on 22 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

⚖️

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