The most recognizable of the mammals in the Caribbean region is the cougar. The cougar is found in the Caribbean region as well as in North and South America. Three of the 20 cougar subspecies are endangered, according to web database, Earth's Endangered Creatures. The three include the Eastern puma, Costa Rican puma and the Florida panther. Other mammals on the endangered species list include the Costa Rican and Panama-dwelling red-backed squirrel monkey and the Geoffroy's spider monkey. The sub-specie of the spider monkey, the black-foreheaded spider monkey, is on the verge of extinction in Costa Rica.
The Cuban parrot, which is found in Cuba, the Bahamas and Cayman Islands, is a medium-sized green parrot that can grow to 12- to -13 inches in height. These parrots can be found in forests and palm groves. These birds are threatened due to a loss of natural sanctuary and illegal capture for domestic use. Native to Cuba and other areas of North America, the ivory-billed woodpecker is the largest of its kind in the world. It was believed to be extinct until one was found in Arkansas in 2004. Ecologists now believe there is a surviving population in Cuba.
The monitor gecko was discovered in 1974 in Puerto Rico and was placed on the endangered species list just eight years later. This small reptile is a tan lizard with dark brown scales on its back. Unlike other species of geckos, which are nocturnal, these lizards are active during the day. Another endangered reptile is the Virgin Islands tree boa that has only been spotted in the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. They dwell in dry forests and only hunt at night. As a result it has made it difficult to locate them to get an accurate count of exactly how many are believed to still exist.
The Costa Rican-based Monte Verde golden toad is an amphibian on the endangered species list but is believed to have been extinct since as far back as 1989. This is the last time a Monte Verde golden toad was found. Researchers believe its extinction could have been caused by pollution, drought or poison and other toxins. It was usually found in the tropical forests of Monteverde, Costa Rica. The Rainbow parrotfish is believed to swim in the Caribbean region and has been on the endangered species list since 1996. It's a large fish that can swim from Florida into the Caribbean region and as far south as Argentina. These fish can grow to nearly 4 feet long.