Introduction
Amazon rainforests are one of the largest rainforests in the World. It spans in across nine countries in the South American continent. It is present in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Guyana, Peru, French Guyana, Suriname, Venezuela, and Ecuador. Its span size is about 1/5th of the World's Forests. It is home to about 1/3rd of all the species on the planet. It expands by more than 50% in Brazil.
It is one of the most threatened forests on the planet as most of the forest area is disappearing due to deforestation. It is home to 200 Indigenous and Traditional Community Tribes.
Amazon is home to Wildlife. It is home to 40,000 plant species, and 430 mammals like Giant anteaters, otters, jaguars, etc. It has almost 1,300 to 1400 bird species of birds 390 reptiles like the Giant Anaconda and Varieties of species of Lizards etc. and more than 450 amphibians and many more freshwater fishes including the piranha have been found in the Amazon rain forests.
Some of the important wildlife species we must see here are:
a) Jaguar
Jaguars are apex predators of the Amazon rainforest. Jaguar is one of the Top Big Cats in the World and It is the third biggest cat in the world only after Tiger and Lion. They are the only Big Cats that can hunt both on Land and Water. They kill Caimans that are found in the Amazon River and prey on them. These are the only Big cats in the world that feed on a Crocodile Species.
b) Anaconda
Anaconda is the Largest snake on the planet. No snake on the earth can be huge as this giant killer snake. It is an expert in swimming in the river waters. It breaks the bones and muscles of the prey before feeding on it.
c) Caiman
Caiman is one the Crocodile species that is found in the Amazon River. It mainly feeds on the fish that live in the Amazon River. It also lives in the lakes and swamps of the Amazon Forests.
d) Capybara
It seems like an herbivore and it is one of the largest Rodent in the world. Jaguars mainly hunt Capybaras as prey.
e) Giant Otter
It is one of the most feared and powerful animals found on the banks of the river Amazon. It belongs to the Weasel Family. They are not found in individuals but are found in groups. As a group, they sometimes, kill Capybaras in the rivers and also fight with the Jaguars for their survival and food. They mainly prey on the river fish for food.
f) Electric Eel
The electric eel is one of the most unique fish species that is found in the Amazon Rainforest. It can kill a caiman by generating an electric charge from its body. It is used for its survival and prey. They are also called Knife Fish.
g) Ant Eater
Anteater's name means “Worm Tongue’. They feed on the ants and insects that will live inside the soil. They are unharmful to mankind and eat thousands of ants per day.
h) Harpy Eagle
It is the largest eagle species in the world. The harpy Eagle is a large and powerful bird that hunts in the Amazon Rainforests. It is the heaviest and most powerful eagle and is also known to take away sloths and monkeys of the rain forests for food.
i) Macaws
Macaws belong to the Parrot Species. They have bigger bills, longer tails than other parrot species. There are several species of macaw that are found in the Amazon Rainforest, some of them are the Scarlet Macaw, the Blue and Yellow Macaw. The Hyacinth macaw is the largest of all the Parrot species on the planet.
Conclusion:
Amazon Rainforests shelter to these amazing species of animals. Along with these animals, there are also so many species that are native only to this immense jungle.