Living in the Amazon River Basin

The Amazon River Basin includes the Amazon Rainforest. It includes an amazing variety of wildlife.

Bald uakaris are small New World monkeys that primarily live in the trees along the lakes. These monkeys have bald heads and flat, hairless red faces. They mostly dwell in areas with aguaje palm trees. Bald uakaris are omnivores; their primary diet is mainly based on fruits and seeds.

Black caimans are the largest and most dangerous reptiles of the Amazon River basin. These large creatures will eat anything that moves, from mammals to birds to their fellow reptiles.

Capybaras are the largest rodents on Earth. They are widely distributed all over South America but prefer the warm, humid environment of the Amazon River basin. They feed on vegetation such as fruit, tree bark, and aquatic plants. Capybaras are known to congregate in herds of up to 100.

Jaguars are the third-largest big cats after lions and tigers. (pictured above) These big cats have learned that it is harder to hunt them in the dense Amazon River basin than out in the open pampas.

Giant anteaters are interesting animals with long snouts. They use their snouts to poke into narrow insect burrows. Their coat hairs are long, especially on the tail, which makes the tail look larger than it actually is.They find protection in the swampy Amazon River basin. They are insectivorous mammals. They usually sleep in abandoned burrows, hollows in the ground, or areas with dense vegetation.Giant anteaters feed mostly on termites and ants. However, they can also consume soft-bodied grubs, eggs as well as fruit.

Giant otters are also referred to as water jaguars or river wolves. They are the largest members of the mustelid family, closely related to weasels. They live in extended social groups of about half a dozen. They have highly sensitive whiskers that allow the animals to track changes in water pressure and currents, which aids in detecting prey. Their legs are short and stubby and end in large webbed feet tipped with sharp claws. Giant otters are suited for aquatic life, they can close their ears and noses while underwater. They are carnivores and enjoy fish and can also eat crabs, snakes, and small caimans.

Golden lion tamarins are also referred to as golden marmosets. They have bushy manes of reddish-brown hair surrounding flat, dark-eyed faces. These arboreal animals are social within a core group of up to eight relatives. Like other monkeys, they groom each other, and the young ones play together. The mating pair in each family group is typically monogamous for life. These tree-dwelling primates are omnivores and will eat anything from vegetable matter to spiders or small lizards. They also enjoy flower nectar, fruit, and flower petals.

Keel-billed toucans have enormous, multi-colored bills. These birds hop from tree branch to tree branch in small flocks of up to 12. They are small, social, playful birds mainly found in Central and South America and are the smallest of all the toucans. Their bodies are covered with black feathers; the chests are light green, and the tip of their tails is red. These toucans are omnivores and primarily feed on different kinds of fruit and berries.

Piranhas have very sharp teeth and powerful jaws. There are more than 60 species of these carnivorous fish in the rivers and lakes of South America. Most species, however, are scavengers or feed on plant material. These common fishes have deep bodies, saw-edged bellies, and large, generally blunt heads with strong jaws bearing sharp, triangular teeth.

Poison dart frogs are brightly colored frogs with powerful venom. They can be green or bright orange. They collect venom from ants, mites, and other insects. The "dart" part of this amphibian's name derives from the fact that indigenous tribes across South America dip their hunting darts in its venom.

Three-toed sloths and the most common sloths living in the Amazon River basin. They are able swimmers. They can be found high in the forest canopy sunning, resting, or feeding on leaves.