Last week, one of the most active trail users in Town came across something surprising and very sweet on the trails.
On the route toward Punta Guachipelín, right around point C4, near the bench with one of those incredible views, she spotted a turtle moving slowly through the dry forest floor. For someone who walks and runs these trails almost every day, the encounter felt especially rare. Regular trail users often see signs of wildlife here, from deer and foxes to coyotes, birds, insects, and even the occasional ocelot. But a terrestrial turtle is not something people come across often.
The turtle appears to be a Tortuga de Monte Pintada, also known as Tortuga de Bosque, a land turtle species found in lowland areas and forested landscapes close to streams. We actually shared more about this species in a previous edition of The Daily, including its natural history, markings, and why its presence in this part of the world is so interesting.
This time, what stood out most was not only the species itself, but the quiet surprise of seeing it there. It makes you wonder how far it had traveled, how often it moves through these same trails without being noticed, and how much is happening around us in the forest even on the days when the trails feel familiar.
It is one of those small sightings that makes the familiar trail feel alive in a new way. The same path people use for running, hiking, biking, and exploring is also habitat, corridor, shelter, and home for many species moving quietly through the forest. So the next time you are out on the trails, keep your eyes open. You might be heading toward a view, a workout, or a morning walk, and still find a small forest resident making its way across the path.