The Amazon, one of the most biodiverse regions on the planet, is geographically situated encompassing the territories of Brazil, Colombia and Peru. A spectacle of nature and wildlife, the Amazon region gets its name from the Amazon River, the longest and mightiest river on the planet. At present, various studies have managed to quantify the various species of Amazon rainforest animals, ensuring that there are more than 100,000 species of invertebrates, 3,000 species of freshwater fish, 378 species of reptiles and 400 of amphibians; as well as 427 species of mammals and some 1,300 species of birds.
If you want to know more about the most emblematic wild animals of the Amazon, continue reading this article by Ecologist Verde in which we include a list of names of +30 Amazon animals, as well as the main characteristics of some of them.
Jaguar (Phantera onca), one of the endangered Amazon animals
The majestic jaguar is the largest feline in America and without a doubt, one of the most emblematic great predators of the Amazon rainforest. Despite their importance and admiration by the different past and present Amazonian indigenous cultures, jaguars are included within the Amazon animals in danger of extinction. Here you can learn more about the Animals in danger of extinction in the Amazon.
The current situation of the jaguar in the Amazon is quite unstable, since the number of specimens is constantly decreasing and the Red List of the IUCN or International Union for the Conservation of Nature classifies this big cat as a "near threatened species" (NT o Near Threatened).
Learn more about this animal and its situation in this other post in which we explain why the jaguar is in danger of extinction and many more details.
Sloth (Bradypus tridactylus)
Between the rare animals of the amazon we find the curious sloth, belonging to the group of placental mammals, specifically the Order Pilosa, within which other species also characteristic of the Amazon are included, such as the giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla). The lazyBradypus tridactylus) find their natural habitat in the high branches of the trees of the Amazon basins, and it is considered one of the endemic species of the Amazon more striking, characterized by its slow metabolism and its habit of resting for most of the day.
Currently, the sloth population is stable in the Amazon and they are not at risk of extinction, but it is true that they are suffering illegal captures on a daily basis and in quantity, as is the case in other areas of America where they live. This leads us to think that, if they continue like this, in a short time they could become part of this fearsome list.
Capybara (Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris)
Another of the most characteristic mammals of the biodiverse Amazon is the capybara or capybara. Its about world's largest rodent, reaching a meter and a half in length and a height of 0.65 meters; weighing about 50 kilograms.
It presents both terrestrial and aquatic habits, making one of its great ability to swim near the banks of the Amazon River. The capybara population is quite stable in this Amazon rainforest ecosystem and is not currently in danger of extinction.
Toucans (Family Ramphastidae), one of the best known Amazon animals
Colorful toucans fill the treetops of the Amazon rainforest with life. Its unmistakable large downward-curved beak and intense colors make it one of the best-known birds related to the habitats that occur throughout the entire length of the Amazon River.
Different toucan species They are abundant in the jungles of Brazil, as well as in those of Peru and Colombia. Probably the toucan tocoRamphastos touched) It is one of the best known species within this family of birds, being also the toucan of greater size. Its current situation in the Amazon places it out of danger of extinction.
Blue-yellow Macaw (Ara ararauna)
One of the most popular and colorful macaws in all of South America, the blue-yellow macaw or blue and yellow macaw, finds its natural habitat in the Amazon basinSome specimens were even distributed from Panama to the north of Argentina.
Its status on the IUCN Red List is of "Least Concern" (LC), so today, this amazing bird has enough individuals to keep its population in balance, although this balance is threatened by destruction. of their habitat and their illegal capture.
Amazon Kingfisher (Chloroceryle amazona)
These precious small birds and colorful plumage are distributed throughout the Amazon, always looking for fish to feed. They are often found in the low branches of the trees on the banks of the great river, waiting for the ideal moment to dive quickly and catch their prey, some of the various fish that inhabit the waters of the Amazon.
The Amazon Kingfisher it has a balanced population within the Amazon region and is not at risk of extinction.
Green Anaconda (Eunectes murinus)
Continuing with this list of amazon animals we stop to meet one of the most emblematic Considered the queen of the Amazon, both local populations and visitors from any Amazon region of Peru, Brazil or Colombia, will not hesitate to recognize the amazing green anaconda. It's about the the world's heaviest and largest snake, belonging to the family of boas constrictors, that is, those large snakes with strangling habits towards their prey to suffocate them before beginning to ingest them slowly.
Its conservation status in the Amazon considers, for the moment, the species out of danger of extinction.
Brown Basilisk (Basiliscus vittatus)
This perhaps is one of the amazon animals little known, especially compared to others on the list. However, they are well known for their uncanny ability to run across the surface of the water without sinking, basilisks are another of the groups of reptiles that we can easily find in the Amazon region. Specifically the brown basilisk It is distributed by terrestrial ecosystems surrounding the shores of rivers like the amazon on its way through Colombia.
They are not in danger of extinction, for now they keep their population in balance, despite the deforestation of the Amazon and other environmental problems that the Amazon basin frequently suffers.
Orinoco black caiman (Melanosuchus niger)
As its name suggests, the Orinoco black caiman It is characterized by the black color of its skin and by inhabiting the Amazon, being abundant in the waters of the Orinoco, tributary of the Amazon River.
It is a native reptile both in the Amazon regions of Brazil, as well as in Peru and Colombia; as well as other South American tropical regions (Ecuador and Bolivia), in which their risk of extinction, at the moment, is very low.
Amazon amphibians
Within the various dangerous animals of the amazon We find different species of amphibians that, due to their powerful venom, are considered one of the most toxic vertebrates on the planet. Between these poisonous amphibians of the Amazon stand out:
- Poison arrow frogPhyllobates terribilis)
- Bicolor frog (Phyllobates bicolor)
- Orange frog (Phyllobates terribilis)
Amazon fish
The endemic aquatic animals of the Amazon They also occupy a large percentage of the fauna biodiversity of each and every one of the ecosystems of the Amazon region. Some of the most characteristic Amazon fish are:
- Electric eel (Electrophorus electricus)
- Piranhas (Family Serrasalmidae)
- Pirarucú (Genus Arapaima)
- Arowana (Osteoglossum bicirrhosum)
- Tetras (Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi)
List with more names of Amazon animals
To complete the article with more Amazon wild animals, this section includes a list of names of Amazon animals, belonging to groups of mammals, birds and invertebrates.
Mammals
- Oceanic pink dolphin (Inia geoffrensis)
- Giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis)
- Black spider monkey (Ateles geoffroyi)
- Golden lion tamarin (Leontopithecus rosalia)
- Giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla)
Birds
- Yellow-headed woodpecker (Straw Pompadour)
- Jacana (Jacana jacana)
- Harpy eagle (Harpyopsis novaeguineae)
Invertebrates
- Angel of the seaGymnosomata)
- Owl butterfly (Genus Caligo)
- Postman Butterfly (Heliconius melpomene)
- Chick Spider (Grammostola mollicoma)
- Amazonian ants (Polyergus breviceps)
- Amazon beetle (Coellosis biloba)
If you want to read more articles similar to +30 Amazon animals, we recommend that you enter our Wild Animals category.
Bibliography- Harris, R. & Hutchison, P. (2011) Amazonas. Alhena media & Brad travel guides Ltd., pp: 10-177.
- Denevan, W. M. (1974) The development and imminent death of the Amazon rainforest. Publication Series (Conference of Latin Americanist Geographers), Volume 3 (TOPICS ON LATIN AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT), pp. 73-79.
