Claim: Colombia harbors a large number of earth's species.

Colombia is the country with the second-highest biodiversity in the world , behind Brazil . As of 2016 , 56,343 species are registered in Colombia , of which 9153 endemic . The country occupies the first position worldwide in number of orchids and birds , second position in plants , amphibians , butterflies and fresh water fish , third place in species of palm trees and reptiles and globally holds the fourth position in biodiversity of mammals .   The country hosts 59 nationally designated protected areas . At the establishment of the as of 2017 most recent addition , Bahía Portete -- Kaurrele National Natural Park , Colombian president Juan Manuel Santos said `` The biodiversity is to Colombia , what oil is for the Arabs '' .