julianbiol's Identifications

Elevation 13,366 feet above sea level, temperature 41°F.

Andean tapeti (Sylvilagus andinus) is a placental mammal in the Hares and Rabbits (Leporidae) family. It is found in the highest elevations of the Andes.

"Andean tapeti (Sylvilagus andinus) or Andean cottontail is a species of cottontail rabbit native to Colombia, Venezuela, Peru and Ecuador. It was previously considered a subspecies of the common tapeti (Sylvilagus brasiliensis). Living at high elevations in the treeless Páramo of the Andes, analysis in 2017 confirmed that it is sufficiently distinct in both appearance and genetics to be considered a species in its own right. Although widespread, it remains poorly known, as few studies have been conducted on its biology and habits" https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/1353295-Sylvilagus-andinus

Leporidae all have short, furry tails and elongated ears and hind legs.
Irene's Hares and Rabbits (Leporidae) observations on INaturalist, worldwide:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?taxon_id=43095&user_id=aparrot1

Irene's (aparrot1) Profile Page on INaturalist listing Nature Resources (includes online references with links) for Plants, Birds, Fungi, Lepidoptera, Arachnids, Reptiles, Amphibians, Marine Life, Plant Galls, and more: https://www.inaturalist.org/people/3188668

Paramastax poecilosoma is a vibrant, multi-colored grasshopper in the Monkey Grasshoppers (Eumastacidae) family. Monkey Grasshoppers have "thin legs that are held folded at right angles to the body, sometimes close to the horizontal plane."

Here are some excellent look-alike photos of Paramastax poecilosoma: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/119630-Paramastax-poecilosoma/browse_photos

"Eumastacidae are a family of grasshoppers sometimes known as monkey- or matchstick grasshoppers. They usually have thin legs that are held folded at right angles to the body, sometimes close to the horizontal plane. Many species are wingless and the head is at an angle with the top of the head often jutting above the line of the thorax and abdomen. They have three segmented tarsi and have a short antenna with a knobby organ at the tip. They do not have a prosternal spine or tympanum. Most species are tropical and the diversity is greater in the Old World. They are considered primitive within the Orthoptera and feed on algae, ferns and gymnosperms, the more ancient plant groups."

Irene's Monkey Grasshoppers (Eumastacidae) observations on INaturalist, worldwide: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?taxon_id=85772&user_id=aparrot1

Irene's (aparrot1) Profile Page on INaturalist listing Nature Resources (includes online references with links) for Plants, Birds, Fungi, Lepidoptera, Arachnids, Reptiles, Amphibians, Marine Life, Plant Galls, and more: https://www.inaturalist.org/people/3188668

Leaf Beetle blended in perfectly to the corroded bridge railing it was sitting on, over a river.

Dorynota insidiosa is in the Tortoise and Hispine Beetles (Cassidinae) subfamily and the Leaf Beetles (Chrysomelidae) family.

Dorynota insidiosa, confirmed observations: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/150457676 and
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/233406931

Irene's Leaf Beetle (Chrysomelidae) family observations on INaturalist, worldwide: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?taxon_id=51146&user_id=aparrot1

Leaf Beetles (Family Chrysomelidae) are "one of the largest and most commonly encountered of all beetle families. Numerous subfamilies are recognized, but the precise taxonomy and systematics are likely to change with ongoing research and DNA testing. Adult and larval Leaf Beetles feed on all sorts of plant tissue." https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/51146-Chrysomelidae

Leaf Beetles (Chrysomelidae) family: "400+ species in California."
Field Guide to California Insects, by Kip Will, J. Gross, D. Rubinoff , J. Powell, 2nd ed., 2020, pp. 256-260.

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Beetle Anatomy: simple diagram of external parts: https://animalcorner.org/beetle-anatomy/

Field Guide to California Insects, by Kip Will, J. Gross, D. Rubinoff , J. Powell, 2nd ed., 2020,
Beetles (Order Coleoptera), pp. 189-266.
"Beetles make up the largest Order in the Animal kingdom, in terms of the number of known species. (Next largest are Lepidoptera, Hymenoptera, and Diptera). Many beetles eat living plants and their larvae are found on or in flowers, fruits, leaves, stems, or roots. There are at least 8,000 species of beetles in California and 23,000+ in North America, with many awaiting discovery."

BugGuide: Arthropods: Photos of Insects, Spiders & Their Kin (US & Canada), clickable categories or use search bar (scientific name): https://bugguide.net/node/view/3/bgpage

Cucujiform Beetles (Infraorder Cucujiformia) represent most plant-eating beetles. The infraorder contains 7 SUPERfamilies: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/372852-Cucujiformia

Taxonomic Chart of Cucujiform Beetles: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/372852-Cucujiformia

Chrysomeloidea (~7 families including longhorn beetles and leaf beetles)
Cleroidea (checkered beetles, bark-gnawing beetles and soft-winged flower beetles)
Coccinelloidea (15 families, includes lady beetles (a.k.a. ladybugs) and fungus beetles)
Cucujoidea (~27 families)
Curculionoidea (~8 families primarily consisting of weevils and also including snout beetles and bark beetles)
Lymexyloidea (ship-timber beetles)
Tenebrionoidea (formerly "Heteromera") (30 families including darkling beetles, blister beetles and ant-like beetles)

Irene's Cucujiform Beetles (Infraorder Cucujiformia) observations on INaturalist, worldwide: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?place_id=any&taxon_id=372852&user_id=aparrot1&verifiable=any

Irene's (aparrot1) Profile Page on INaturalist listing Nature Resources (includes online references with links) for Plants, Birds, Fungi, Lepidoptera, Arachnids, Reptiles, Amphibians, Marine Life, Plant Galls, and more: https://www.inaturalist.org/people/3188668

Red-tailed Squirrel (Sciurus granatensis) is an arboreal Rodent with a long, bushy tail in the Tree Squirrels (Sciurus) genus and Squirrels (Sciuridae) family. It is Endemic to Central and South America. It is found in Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela. There are many subspecies.

Squirrels (Sciuridae) family includes tree squirrels, ground squirrels (including chipmunks and prairie dogs, among others), and flying squirrels. Squirrels are indigenous to the Americas, Eurasia, and Africa, and were introduced by humans to Australia. https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/45933-Sciuridae

Animal Facts: (for example) Mammals: https://animalfact.com/mammal/

Squirrels are rodents. "Rodents are distinguished from other mammals by their ever-growing, sharp, and open-rooted incisors. Most species possess up to 22 teeth (lack canines or premolars) and have a prominent gap or diastema between the incisors and the cheek teeth." https://animalfact.com/rodents/

Irene's Squirrels (Sciuridae) family observations on INaturalist, worldwide: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?taxon_id=45933&user_id=aparrot1

Irene's (aparrot1) Profile Page on INaturalist listing Nature Resources (includes online references with links) for Plants, Birds, Mammals, Fungi, Lepidoptera, Arachnids, Reptiles, Amphibians, Marine Life, Plant Galls, and more: https://www.inaturalist.org/people/3188668