Amazon Rainforest Animals

JustinMatmor | Aug 22, 2010 |

3 Comments | Rating: 1

All about the Amazon Rainforest Animals

The Amazon rainforest is very important for the entire world firstly because it is the largest rainforest and secondly because it gives huge amounts of clean air to the world. The climate plays a very important role in our lives and the rainforest helps to regulate it. This is why the law is protecting the Amazon rainforest. Amazon rainforest animals are numerous. 20% of the total numbers of animals on earth are found in the rainforest.

Amazon rainforest animals have been living in the area longer than the people on earth. You will come across a number of types of animals here. All these animals are well known the world over. They live safely in the Amazon rainforest because this is one of the few places in the world that has not changed in the past 50,000 years.

Some of the popular Amazon rainforest animals are as follows:

The Anaconda snake is a dangerous animal. It is known for this and also its size. It is a rare animal. It lives safely in the Amazon rainforest. It preys on animals like cats, monkeys, other snakes, crocodiles, large fish and others.
The Jaguar is also a rare and lonely animal. It is seen rarely because there are only 1200 of them left in the Amazon forest.
The Golden Lion Tamarin resembles the African lion but it is smaller in size. It is also not spotted easily like the Jaguar.
The Orangutan is one of the most popular Amazon rainforest animals. It is not an endangered species. According to a recent research, there are 13,000 Orangutans in the Amazon rainforest.
The Toco Toucan is a kind of bird that is found on the river of the rainforest. It feeds on the eggs of other animals, fish and frogs.
Poison dart frogs are a species that are extremely colorful but dangerous and toxic to humans. Their venom is dangerous. However, it is used in medicines. Poison dart frogs are seen in North America as well as South America.
The Monarch Butterfly is different from the ordinary butterfly as it is poisonous. It has a beautiful appearance because it is found in a number of colors but it is dangerous.
Harpy Eagles are also Amazon rainforest animals. They are only found in South Africa. There are just 400 members of the species alive today. This bird eats nearly everything. It does not threaten just a few animals like the Jaguar and Anaconda.
The Gray Mouse is the most endangered animal in the area.
The Gorilla belongs to a renowned species of monkeys. Gorillas are found in large numbers all over the Amazon rainforest. They are mostly found in the woods. They have three enemies, the Jaguar, the Eagle and the Anaconda.
Spider monkeys have larger sizes. They can grow up to 2 feet in height excluding their tails. Their tails are so powerful that they are used as extra limbs. They tend to always hang upside down with their four limbs while their tail holds onto the branches. In such a position, they look similar to spiders. This is how they got their name. They are also able to swing from one branch to another at great speeds. The color of their fur could be tan, red, golden, brown or black. They are usually found in the canopy as they get seeds and fruits to eat there. They also feed on plants. They are unusual animals as they have just four fingers but no thumb. They are hunted heavily which is why they are on the verge of extinction.

As mentioned above, a huge number of animals live in the Amazon rainforest but some of them have become extremely vulnerable now. There are many kinds of endangered animals in the area. Some of them are more vulnerable as compared to the others. It is doubtful if they will be seen five or 10 years down the line.

Humans are responsible for the situation because they have destroyed the habitat of these animals. These endangered species are finding it extremely difficult to get adjusted to a new location and lifestyle. This failure to adapt is responsible for the dwindling numbers. The population of the orangutan is decreasing sharply. They might disappear completely from the face of the earth if we do not take any steps on time. We have to prevent the hunting of these animals and also the destruction of their natural habitat. The same is the case with the Chimpanzee, the Harpy Eagle and the Jaguar. The Bengal Tiger is also one of the endangered Amazon rainforest animals. If the destruction of the natural habitat occurs, it will result in the disappearance of some of the animal species. This is a serious problem that has to be tackled immediately.

Did you like this?

Yes

Flag

Pin It

Comments

Aug 22, 2010 6:11pm

thehigherstandard
Great article! My seven year old boy and I have recently gotten into watching rainforest documentaries on tv. I read this with him today. Thanks!