It is known that the Amazon Rainforest is the most biodiverse place on Earth, and this is evident if we take a look at the different guide books about wildlife in this marvelous place.
The amounts of species that can be found in the Ecuadorian Amazon basin are endless, with more than 200 species of mammals, such as the cute Tamarin monkey; between 500 and 600 species of birds, like the very colorful tanagers or macaws; approximately 180 species of reptiles and amphibians, for example the scary anaconda; and thousands of different types of insects, from large colonies of small termites that make live in ball nests hanging from trees to the Goliath Birdeater Tarantula, the largest spider in the world, which can grow to the size of a human hand and even bigger.
Detecting Animals in the Amazon Rainforest
Those are just a few examples of the stunning wildlife that can be found in the Amazon Rainforest; the perfect destination for nature lovers and people who enjoy animal-watching in the wild. However, it is not easy to spot animals in the rainforest, despite the high rates of diversity located here. One of the reasons for this difficulty could be the high level of competition of the animals in the forest. Some animals are predators, and many of them do not want to be the prey, so they have evolved impressive and effective ways of camouflaging themselves, such as stick insects, which look like a branch of a plant; the screaming Piha, a bird that produces a loud sound that makes it difficult to identify where they are; and the beautiful sloths that remain unnoticed by people, because they have evolved a relationship with algae growing in their fur, giving them the coloration of the surrounding vegetation.
How to Find Wildlife in the Amazon
We want to give you some tips that will help you when admiring the awesome wildlife that the Amazon Rainforest has to offer.
- Open your senses. In the Amazon Rainforest you must use all 5 senses in order to experience the wildlife. Open your eyes to see the animals carefully hidden in the vegetation, be ready to come alive with the loud sound of the howler monkeys early in the morning, smell the strange odor produced by the armadillos, and touch the animals that your guide allows you to.
- Follow your guide. During your excursion in the rainforest you will be accompanied by a guide who has a lot of experience in the forest, so follow the instructions at all times, because the guides have a lot of knowledge, and they even know the places where specific animals inhabit.
- Look for movement.One of the best ways to spot animals in the rainforest is to carefully spot every movement between the vegetation. Many animals remain quiet for long periods of time, but they provide an opportunity to see them when they move.
- Look for any strange shape in the vegetation.This is also a good way to see animals in the forest. Look carefully at the vegetation, and if you see something that does not look like part of a tree, it could be an animal. Call your guide immediately, who will help you identify what you have detected.
- Wake up early.The majority of wildlife is active the first few hours of the day, before the forest becomes too hot. As such, programs in the rainforest start really early. Do not be surprised if you have to wake up at 6 a.m. on your vacation.
- Specific equipment.Binoculars are the best companion for excursions in the rainforest, and a flashlight is essential for night excursions.
- Observation towers.Many lodges in the Amazon have towers that surpass the canopy of the forest. These are the best places to see animals that would be impossible to spot from the forest floor.
- This could be the bestrecommendation you will hear about spotting animals in the rainforest: you are not going to see the animals as soon as you want, so be patient and in the end you will be rewarded.
We hope these recommendations help you enjoy your next trip to the Amazon, so be ready to explore the most biodiverse ecosystem on the planet.
Contact our travel experts to start your next Amazon adventure.
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