<strong>Red-eyed tree frog:</strong> A team of scientists visited an archeological site in Honduras' Mosquitia rainforest. While there, they spotted several rare animals. The red-eyed tree frog was one of 22 amphibian species documented.
Red-eyed tree frog: A team of scientists visited an archeological site in Honduras' Mosquitia rainforest. While there, they spotted several rare animals. The red-eyed tree frog was one of 22 amphibian species documented.
Courtesy Conservation International
<strong>Lush vegetation: </strong>Expedition leader Trond Larsen tells CNN Travel that it's a beautiful spot: "a very lush forest, crystal-clear stream cascades; it's extremely picturesque."
Lush vegetation: Expedition leader Trond Larsen tells CNN Travel that it's a beautiful spot: "a very lush forest, crystal-clear stream cascades; it's extremely picturesque."
Courtesy Conservation International
<strong>Great curassow:</strong> The scientists decided to visit following the recent rediscovery of the ruins, in 2012: "The impetus for this expedition was really driven by the fact that these amazing archaeological discoveries were made at this site not too many years ago," says Larsen.
Great curassow: The scientists decided to visit following the recent rediscovery of the ruins, in 2012: "The impetus for this expedition was really driven by the fact that these amazing archaeological discoveries were made at this site not too many years ago," says Larsen.
Courtesy Conservation International
<strong>Rare occurrence:</strong> Larsen and his team witnessed an ornate hawk-eagle prey upon an endangered great green macaw.
Rare occurrence: Larsen and his team witnessed an ornate hawk-eagle prey upon an endangered great green macaw.
Courtesy Conservation International
<strong>Mexican climbing salamander: </strong>The Bolitoglossa mexicana salamander is often spotted in North America -- but it's less commonly found in the Neotropics.
Mexican climbing salamander: The Bolitoglossa mexicana salamander is often spotted in North America -- but it's less commonly found in the Neotropics.
Courtesy Conservation International
<strong>Water crabs</strong>: In the beautiful streams, water crabs were spotted. The team says they provide important food for many animals, including the endangered Neotropical river otter.
Water crabs: In the beautiful streams, water crabs were spotted. The team says they provide important food for many animals, including the endangered Neotropical river otter.
Courtesy Conservation International
<strong>Coral tree snake:</strong> The false tree coral snake was thought to be extinct in Honduras -- until it was rediscovered on this expedition.
Coral tree snake: The false tree coral snake was thought to be extinct in Honduras -- until it was rediscovered on this expedition.
Courtesy Conservation International
<strong>Jaguar: </strong>The team took this shot of a jaguar at Ciudad Blanca. Jaguars in the area have fallen victim to deforestation, habitat loss and overhunting.
Jaguar: The team took this shot of a jaguar at Ciudad Blanca. Jaguars in the area have fallen victim to deforestation, habitat loss and overhunting.
Courtesy Conservation International
<strong>Rediscovered species:</strong> The tiger beetle was thought to be virtually extinct -- it had previously been recorded at a single site in Nicaragua. The beetle was rediscovered during the expedition.
Rediscovered species: The tiger beetle was thought to be virtually extinct -- it had previously been recorded at a single site in Nicaragua. The beetle was rediscovered during the expedition.
Courtesy Conservation International
<strong>Pale-faced bat</strong>: The team also spotted the pale-faced bat, last documented in Honduras in 1942.
Pale-faced bat: The team also spotted the pale-faced bat, last documented in Honduras in 1942.
Courtesy Conservation International
<strong>Worm salamander:</strong> On the scientific expedition, team members spotted a species of worm salamander. It's high on the list of conservation priorities as it's very vulnerable.
Worm salamander: On the scientific expedition, team members spotted a species of worm salamander. It's high on the list of conservation priorities as it's very vulnerable.
Courtesy Conservation International
<strong>Male Harlequin beetle</strong>: Larsen says he particularly enjoys admiring insects and beetles: "I'm fascinated with the smaller creatures that represent so much of the biodiversity around us," he says.
Male Harlequin beetle: Larsen says he particularly enjoys admiring insects and beetles: "I'm fascinated with the smaller creatures that represent so much of the biodiversity around us," he says.
Courtesy Conservation International
<strong>Adventurers: </strong>The team from Conservation International's Rapid Assessment Program (RAP) on site in Honduras.
Adventurers: The team from Conservation International's Rapid Assessment Program (RAP) on site in Honduras.
Courtesy Conservation International
<strong>White-lipped peccaries</strong>: "What I was most surprised about was the high abundance of white-lipped peccaries," says Larsen. "They need such huge areas and move across [such] wide landscapes to survive that we did not expect to find them there."
White-lipped peccaries: "What I was most surprised about was the high abundance of white-lipped peccaries," says Larsen. "They need such huge areas and move across [such] wide landscapes to survive that we did not expect to find them there."
Courtesy Conservation International
<strong>Glass frog:</strong> During the expedition, the team also saw a glass frog.
Glass frog: During the expedition, the team also saw a glass frog.
Courtesy Conservation International
<strong>Morpho butterfly:</strong> The team took this incredible shot of a morpho helenor butterfly -- one of the largest butterflies in the world, with wings spanning from five to eight inches.
Morpho butterfly: The team took this incredible shot of a morpho helenor butterfly -- one of the largest butterflies in the world, with wings spanning from five to eight inches.
Courtesy Conservation International
<strong>Living in nature</strong>: The team slept in tents and hammocks in the forest. "I like to get right in there, get down in the dirt, get in the water, search everywhere for as much as we can find," says Larsen.
Living in nature: The team slept in tents and hammocks in the forest. "I like to get right in there, get down in the dirt, get in the water, search everywhere for as much as we can find," says Larsen.
Courtesy Conservation International
<strong>Puma</strong>: Larsen also had an unexpected encounter with a puma. "I was on a night walk by myself in a very small tight narrow ravine and turned around and my head lamp illuminated these big glowing eyes," he recalls.
Puma: Larsen also had an unexpected encounter with a puma. "I was on a night walk by myself in a very small tight narrow ravine and turned around and my head lamp illuminated these big glowing eyes," he recalls.
Courtesy Conservation International
<strong>Baird's tapir: </strong>Also known as the Central American tapir, this endangered species is native to Mexico, Central America and northwestern South America.
Baird's tapir: Also known as the Central American tapir, this endangered species is native to Mexico, Central America and northwestern South America.
Courtesy Conservation International
<strong>Eyelash viper</strong>: The region is home to some venomous snakes, including the eyelash viper, which uses its tongue to smell its surroundings.
Eyelash viper: The region is home to some venomous snakes, including the eyelash viper, which uses its tongue to smell its surroundings.
Courtesy Conservation International