The depths of the Amazon hide things that modern horror directors have never dreamed of.
A huge closed ecosystem, which is essentially the entire basin great river, as if specially populated by incredibly tenacious, incredibly dangerous and incredibly bloodthirsty creatures, an encounter with which for a person can only end in one outcome.
Black caiman
The largest predator in the entire Amazon basin. The black caiman grows up to five meters long and can weigh half a ton. Natural born killers are the so-called apex predators - that is, capable of killing and devouring any animal in their habitat. 
Anaconda
The meeting between man and anaconda will be the last. The nine-meter snake swims well and is even capable of diving. An adult anaconda has practically no enemies in nature, unless it comes across a black caiman on a narrow path, and such cases have actually happened. 
Brazilian arapaima
Tropical freshwater fish, one of the largest freshwater fish in the world. This predator feeds not only on fish, but also on small animals that come to drink. 
Snout shark
No, not because she’s stupid - it’s just the shape of their face. The blunt-nosed shark, or bull shark, is usually found in coastal waters and happily makes its way into rivers. This is one of the most aggressive species of sharks that will attack humans without a second thought.
Electric eel
Perhaps one of the strangest creatures on our planet. Special electrical organs allow eels to generate voltages of up to 1300 V. A sort of floating bare wire, with a positive charge on the face and a negative charge in the tail. With one blow, an eel can stun a horse, but a human heart will simply stop forever. 
Brown pacu
You could say that the pacu is a cousin of the piranha. But their teeth are square and resemble human ones. For what? Yes, to tear off larger pieces of meat from the victim.
Giant otter
The cute animal, weighing thirty kilograms, is not very timid, unlike its European relatives. You shouldn’t approach a giant otter for a joint selfie, you might end up without fingers. Local residents nicknamed the otters “river wolves”: gathering in real packs, they boldly attack larger predators. 
Kandiru
Another name is the Brazilian vampire. The tiny catfish usually parasitizes other fish, crawling into the gills and drinking blood there. But she absolutely doesn’t care who the victim will be and which hole she will swim into. Thanks to Kandir, smart people in the Amazon never relieve themselves. Can you guess why?
South America, spread over nine countries, is home to the Amazon Rainforest, the largest rainforest in the world. It covers an area of 55 square kilometers and contains a wealth of biodiversity, including species that have not yet been fully studied. The Amazon River flows through the forest and supports thriving animal and plant life. These forests are known as the "lungs of the Earth" because they absorb greatest number carbon dioxide on the ground and release oxygen. These forests are also home to some of the most dangerous animals known to man. Here's our list of the 15 most dangerous animals tropical forests Amazons. 
This is an Alligator found in the Amazon, which is one of the largest species in the world. This Amazonian tropical animal is a very skilled hunter and kills its prey by approaching it from under the water and then crushing it with its powerful jaws. He then drags the catch underwater until it suffocates. It kills everything from small fish, otters, dogs and deer to jaguars and other caimans. Caimans can grow up to 6 meters in length. The black caiman's body is covered with hard scales that act as armor, however the color can vary between olive green, grey, brown or black. The species has bony ridges above the eyes. They have excellent hearing and vision and are equipped with strong teeth used for crushing food. You can also read about 
This animal is not actually an eel, but a fish that looks like an eel. It has three organs that can generate five times more electricity than a normal plug point. This makes it one of the. It uses this electricity to shock and immobilize its prey before eating it whole. It also releases electricity as a method of defense to scare off an attacker. People are usually attacked by eels if they are accidentally stepped on. Most deaths are not due to shock itself, but due to subsequent paralysis and drowning. This method of killing its prey has earned the eel a place on this list of the ten most dangerous animals of the Amazon rainforest. The species has about 6,000 cells to produce electrocytes, and can generate 600 volts of power, which is about 5 times stronger than the electricity generated in a standard electrical outlet. The shock can knock a horse down instantly. It can kill a person in two or three hits, but people come into contact with eels very often. The species can live 15 years in the wild and 22 years in captivity. 
This large cat comes from South America is the main predator of the region. The jaguar lives alone over large areas, similar to leopards or tigers in India, and hunts small land animals. It rarely comes into contact with people, and when it does, it is usually because it is trying to attack livestock. Although it rarely attacks, this cat is a dangerous animal due to its speed, stealth, strong jaw and sharp teeth that can pierce even turtle shells and the human skull. However, their numbers are declining due to habitat loss and hunting. It is also considered one of the strongest animals on planet Earth. Jaguars love to eat monkeys, crocodiles, deer, sloths, fish, frogs and anything else they can catch. Jaguars are solitary animals that love to live and hunt alone, however, this does not apply during mating season. 
The most dangerous of all species, the red-bellied piranha is a scavenger and usually eats dead animals. It is only known to attack live animals if it feels threatened or if there is little food in the area. People have been attacked by piranhas, but these attacks do not result in death, only injury due to the fish's sharp teeth. Piranhas exhibit cannibalism and are known to eat other members of their species. It is also one of the deadliest fish in the world. Talking about appearance, they have a silver body covered in red spots that serve as camouflage in murky water. The pointed and sharp teeth of the piranha are arranged in one row and bite through the silver hook. The piranha's jaw bone is the strongest and can crush a human hand in 5-10 seconds. Local residents use piranha teeth to make weapons and other tools. Like sharks, piranhas are also equipped with a special organ that can sense blood in the water. They live up to 25 years in the wild and 10-20 years in captivity. 
This Amazon rainforest animal is a brightly colored frog that secretes poison from glands on its skin. This poison is very toxic and causes heart failure if it enters the body in large quantities. The golden poison dart frog is a rare species because it can kill twenty adults. Some tribes in the Amazon rainforest are known to use the poison of this frog to coat the tips of their arrows used to hunt other animals. Due to the depletion of rainforests, poison frogs are endangered, and the blue poison dart frog is endangered due to its popularity in animal markets. 
This shark is one of the three most dangerous species sharks and often attacks people who violate its territory. She lives in the muddy waters of the river and hunts other aquatic animals such as fish, dolphins, and snakes. Since she swims in the shallows, dirty water, people can't see it, and if they get too close, the shark attacks them. A shark bite can be fatal because it drags its victims into the water and they either drown or die due to loss of blood. The species can grow up to 2.1 meters in length, however, females have been seen growing to an average of 2.4 meters in length and weighing 130 kg. Males are smaller compared to females and weigh around 94 kg. They are a type of shark that can grow in salty and fresh water. The bull shark can switch between salt water and fresh water and vice versa. The bull shark will be able to survive even if the water level is only 60 cm, and this is why they often come into contact with people. Additionally, female bull sharks prefer to give birth in shallow water because this will prevent larger sharks from eating their babies. 
One of the largest snakes in the world, the green anaconda can grow up to 9 meters in length - twice the size of a giraffe. They live in water and can silently sneak up on prey and strike it with force, squeezing it with their powerful body until it suffocates and dies. They then swallow the prey whole. They usually hunt wild boars, deer, capybaras, and sometimes jaguars and people. You can also read about the most. Anaconda non-venomous snake. They spend most of their time alone, but males seek females to mate with between April and May. Sometimes several species of male green anaconda will pursue the same female. This phenomenon is known as "breeding balls", where dozens of males are wrapped around one female and all try to mate. Sometimes green anacondas engage in behavior where female green anacondas eat smaller males. 
It’s not for nothing that this animal was included in the list, because the spider has one of the deadliest poisons in the world. This is a ground spider that hunts at night. It can sting people who venture too close, and the venom causes sharp pain and can eventually cause paralysis. The spider with the deadliest venom in the world is found throughout the entire jungle. However, during the daytime they hide under rocks and in crevices, in places that are dark and damp. Additionally, they are mostly visible where people have untouched items, clothes they are not wearing, or piles of wood or any items stored in a closet or garage, so people need to be careful. One of the most aggressive types of spiders will fight other spiders for territory if the population in the area is high. 
As the name suggests, this centipede is a giant – it grows up to 30 centimeters. It is an experienced predator that kills small animals such as spiders, mice, small birds, bats, lizards and snakes. It is not poisonous, but hunts by wrapping itself around its prey and eating it as it slowly dies. Although it cannot kill people, its bite causes severe pain, fever and weakness. However, it is a ferocious and dangerous animal of the Amazon rainforest. This species has powerful jaws that can very easily bite through skin and inject very painful venom. Speaking of appearance, the entire body is divided into 23 parts, each with its own pair of legs. Amazonian giant centipedes do not breathe through their mouths, instead they have small holes in the side of each segment that allow them to take in oxygen to keep them alive. They are among the fastest runners because they are almost blind and love to eat insects, tarantulas, small lizards, frogs, small birds, small snakes, rodents and even bats. The species is widespread throughout South America and several Caribbean islands. This is one of the. 
This tiny ant—which grows to about 2 centimeters—gets its name from its ant, which is likened to a bullet. It also injects venom into the bite site and can kill small animals. These ants hunt in groups and can paralyze or kill large animals with many bites. The bite is not fatal to humans, but causes severe pain and can lead to temporary paralysis of the area around the bite. They have the most painful insect bites in the world and its bite contains a neurotoxin. It is located on the abdomen of the ant. They mainly nest in bushes, trees and in the ground. 
This venomous viper species has been mainly spotted off the coast of Sao Paulo state in Brazil. It can be recognized by the light yellowish-brown color of its underside and the shape of its head, characteristic of the genus Bothrops. The species can grow to a length of 70 cm, however it sometimes also reaches 118 cm. There are various color combinations, such as a pale yellowish-brown base color that is covered by a series of spots that may be triangular or quadrangular. 
It is the most powerful predator found in the Amazon rainforest and is also one of the largest existing species eagles in the world. This species is primarily found in the tropical lowland rainforests of Central America. Additionally, in Brazil, the harpy eagle is also known as the royal-hawk. The harpy eagle is the national bird of Panama and is featured on the coat of arms of Panama. 
Bats - however, vampire bats have even more interesting feature, they are mammals that can only survive on blood. In addition, these species live in places of complete darkness, usually in caves, old wells, hollow trees and buildings. Nocturnal creatures are most active in the early nights. The only species of bat that can "adopt" another young bat if something happens to its mother.
The Amazon rain forest is a huge ecosystem, providing habitat for creatures weird and wonderful like the jaguar, poison frog and Jesus lizard. But the Amazon is home to more than just those animals that simply wander, swing and slide in the trees. In the depths of the Amazon River, the largest river in the world, live creatures so amazing and so terrifying that they sometimes seem even scarier than the creepy sea creatures.
Black Cayman
The black caiman looks like an alligator on steroids. They can grow up to six meters long, with larger, heavier skulls than Nile crocodiles, and are an apex predator in Amazonian waters. This means they are kings of the river and will eat almost anything, including piranha, monkeys, deer and anaconda. And yes, they often attack people. In 2010, a biologist named Dace Nishimura was attacked by a caiman while cleaning fish on her houseboat. while she managed to fight him off, he took one of her legs with him. This particular caiman had been living under her houseboat for eight months, apparently waiting for the chance to attack.
Green Anaconda
Continuing the theme of giant reptiles, the largest snake in the world lives in the Amazon: the anaconda. While pythons are actually longer, the green anaconda is much heavier; females are larger than males and can reach 250 kilograms, grow to nine meters in length and reach 30 centimeters in diameter. They are not venomous, but instead use their muscles to constrict and strangle their prey, which includes capybara, deer, caiman, and even jaguars. Preferring shallower waters that allow them to sneak toward prey, anacondas tend to live in the branches of the Amazon rather than the river itself.
Arapaima
Arapaima are giant carnivorous fish that live in the Amazon and surrounding lakes. Encased in an armored casing, they don't have to worry about living in piranha-infested waters, as they are quite efficient predators themselves, feeding on fish and the occasional bird. Arapaima tend to stay close to the surface because they must inhale air in addition to the oxygen received through their gills. They make a distinctive coughing sound when they emerge to grab air. They can reach 2.7 meters in length and weigh up to 90 kilograms. These fish are so dangerous that even their tongues have teeth. 
Giant otter
Giant otters are the longest members of the weasel family, with adult males reaching up to two meters from head to tail. Their diet primarily consists of fish and crabs, which they hunt in family groups of three to eight members, and they can eat up to four kilograms of seafood per day. Their cute looks are deceiving as they are more than a match for the other animals on this list and are capable of hunting even an anaconda. Under certain conditions, they can easily protect themselves from caiman. One family of otters was seen devouring a 1.5m caiman, which took approximately 45 minutes. While their numbers are declining mainly due to human intervention, they are among the most dangerous predators in rain forest Amazons, receiving the local name “river wolves.” 
Bull shark
Typically an ocean-dwelling marine animal, bull sharks are at home in fresh water. They were found deep in the Amazon, in Peru, which is almost 4,000 kilometers from the sea. They have special kidneys that can sense changes in the salinity of the surrounding water and adapt accordingly. And you don't want to meet one of them in the river. They tend to reach 3.3 meters in length and weigh up to 312 kilograms. Like all other sharks, they have several rows of sharp, triangular teeth and very strong jaws with a bite force of 589 kilograms. They are also quite partial to humans, being one of the most frequently attacked humans (along with tiger sharks and great whites). Combined with a habit of living near densely populated areas, this has led many experts to label bull sharks the most dangerous sharks in the world. 
Electric eel
Electric eels are actually more closely related to catfish than simple eels. They can grow to 2.5 meters long and can generate charges of electricity from specialized cells called electrocytes. These shocks can reach up to 600 volts, which is enough to knock a horse off its feet. While the shock alone is not enough to kill a healthy adult, shocks from an electric eel can cause respiratory or heart failure and drowning. Many of the disappearances reported in the region have been attributed to eels that shocked their victims and left them drowning in the river. Luckily for us, eels tend to feed on fish, birds and small mammals. They locate their prey by sending out small, 10-volt blasts before killing them with larger blasts. 
Piranhas
The most dangerous predator of the Amazon River, about which they even make horror films. The red-bellied piranha is primarily a scavenger. But that doesn't mean they won't attack healthy creatures, given that they can grow to over 30 centimeters and swim in large groups. Piranhas have incredibly sharp teeth, with one row on each of their strong upper and lower jaws. These teeth grip with tremendous force, making them ideal for tearing and tearing the flesh of their prey. Their fearsome reputation mainly comes from tales of their frantic attacks, where groups of piranhas attack their unlucky prey and tear them to shreds within minutes. These attacks are rare and usually result from starvation, or provocation. 
Payara, vampire fish
Any creature with the name “vampire fish” should automatically be considered scary, and the payara is no exception. They are absolutely ferocious predators, capable of devouring fish up to half their own body size. Considering they can grow up to 1.2 meters long, this is no mean feat. A significant portion of their diet consists of piranha, which should give you some idea of how dangerous these bad guys can be. They get their name from the two fangs that grow from their lower jaw, reaching 15 centimeters in length. Payaras use their fangs to literally impale their prey after a lightning-fast strike. Their fangs are so large that vampire fish have special holes in their upper jaw to avoid impaling themselves. 
Paku
Another inhabitant of the Amazon, which can be much more dangerous for men than for women. The pacu is a much larger relative of the piranha, known for its distinctive sharp teeth. Unlike most of the creatures on this list, the pacu is actually omnivorous, with the majority of its diet consisting of fruits and nuts. Unfortunately for some pacu, "nuts" can mean more than just what falls from trees. Yes, that's right: Paku sometimes nibbled off the testicles of male swimmers in Papua New Guinea after the fish apparently mistook their genitals for a snack. And don't worry that you can't head to the Amazon to see these monsters, because they're already spreading to Europe. 
The Amazon originates at an altitude of 5 thousand meters from the snow-capped peaks of the Peruvian Andes. Gradually, streams of meltwater flow down, forming a river. At such heights there are practically no inhabitants in the river, but there are exceptions. The Spur Duck (Merganetta armata) thrives in cold, stormy streams.
Driven by the force of gravity, the river makes its way through the mountain ranges, washing away sediment from the mountain ridges along the way. Soon the Amazon falls into the humid mountain forests. These forests are one of the most wet places on the planet. Clouds and fog collide with the mountain slopes, and there is 6 meters of rainfall per year. Passing through mountain gorges, the Amazon forms numerous waterfalls.
This is the kingdom rain forests located at an altitude of 3.5 thousand meters, here the Amazon continues to gain its power. Surviving in such a humid climate is also not easy. But many plants take advantage of this dampness; they do not need soil moisture and therefore can grow directly on tree trunks. Instead of insects, hummingbirds and other birds act as pollinators. It is home to the largest diversity of hummingbird species in the world. Each species has a beak adapted for specific tasks, birds and plants complement each other perfectly. Another amazing creature also lives here - the smallest bear in the world and the only one in South America, called the spectacled bear (Tremarctos ornatus). Monkeys do not rise to such heights.
Descending lower and lower, the Amazon finally reaches the foot of the Andes. Here the river slows down its rapid flow and spills over a wide plain.
Near the Peruvian city of Iquitas, the river gets its name Amazon. Already here the width of the river reaches 2 km, and the average depth of the river is 100 meters. Despite the fact that this place is 3.5 thousand meters away from the Atlantic Ocean, ships sail here. From here the river will flow across the plain, making its way through the world's largest tropical jungle, covering an area of 7 million km. sq.
The river is full of minerals brought from the mountain peaks, and they settle on the river shallows. These minerals provide many benefits to the wild animals and fish of the Amazon. For example, Macaw parrots cannot imagine life without them. This clay helps Macaws get rid of the poison that they eat along with plant seeds.
The intricacies of the branches and tributaries of the Amazon basin are home to a huge number of unique and unusual animals. The diversity of both the flora in the Amazon basin and underwater world rivers.
Brazilian or giant otter (lat. Pteronura brasiliensis). Loves quiet backwaters, grows up to 2 meters in length. One of the largest predators in the Amazon. He can even eat a boa constrictor or a python for lunch. Giant otters live in large family clans.
Wedge belly or Amazon flying fish. To escape from predators, it can jump 120 cm out of the water with the help of well-developed pectoral fins.
The Sun Heron is a master of bluffing and can scare away many predators due to its unusual plumage.
The Amazon is replete with oxbow lakes. There is no longer a current here and the plants are growing in full force. The most successful in this matter is the giant Amazonian lily, or as it is also called Victoria Regia, its leaves reach 2 meters in diameter.
Giant Amazonian lily or Victoria Regia. As you can see, you can sleep peacefully on it without even getting your feet wet.
Floating plants on the river form peculiar floating mobile islands; these lawns drift along with the river current. Their diameter can be many times greater than 100 meters. Not only plants, but also animals live on these rafts. The largest animal in South America, the manatee, lives in them. The weight of a manatee can reach 500 kg and a length of 3 meters.
The world's largest rodent, the capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris), also lives here.
Amazonian caimans play the role of a crocodile here; caimans happily eat capybaras. These rodents should also beware of anacondas.
Video: Anaconda catches and eats a capybara.
Every year before the start of the rainy season, the water level in the Amazon drops to a minimum. A large number of closed lagoons are formed. This is the hardest time of the year for fish, they find themselves trapped. But the predators are feasting with might and main, fishing at this time of year is very simple fish You can fish without any strain at all.
There are 20 species of piranha in the Amazon, but the most ferocious of them all is the red piranha. If these monsters find themselves locked in a water trap, they first destroy all life around them, and then real cannibalism begins. After such a “massacre” only the strongest individuals remain alive.
During the rainy season, the water level in the river will rise sharply. For the fish to finally arrive Good times. The Amazon Basin is literally a swimming pool. The Amazon does not have time to dump excess water into the Atlantic Ocean and overflows its banks. On such a large river, the flood must be large. The river overflows and floods everything around at a distance of 80 km on both sides of its banks. Trees are flooded to a depth of 16 meters. The area of flooded land can be compared with the area of England. The fish rushes after the flood. There is a lot of fish food here, for every taste. Most likely, this explains the diversity of the underwater world of the Amazon. There are more than 3,000 species of fish in the river, which is more than in the Atlantic Ocean.
Not surprisingly, the Amazon is home to the largest freshwater fish in the world - Arapaima or Pirarucu (Arapaima gigas). This one giant fish there is a semblance of a lung, and from time to time it floats up to breathe fresh air. Arapaima's weight can reach 200 kg.
The largest freshwater fish in the world is Arapaima or Pirarucu (Arapaima gigas)
Other unusual creatures live among the flooded forests. For example, a blind pink penguin (Amazon dolphin, or white river dolphin) lives here; it uses echolocation to catch fish in the thickets.
Trees can remain under water for six months a year, so the river and fish transport seeds here.
Another unusual local animal is the bald uakari. These monkeys can eat fruits of any maturity.
Bald uakari.
There are also fish here that jump from the water into mating season. The tetra jumps out of the water and leaves its eggs on the leaves of the trees. The male will wet it with water until the fry hatch.
Fire ants have a hard time during a flood; they all gather together and form a living raft, connecting with each other. They are carried away by the current, and the only hope for salvation is if they are washed ashore.
Fire ants huddled together.
People have also adapted to such fluctuations in water levels and live on rafts.
It is also home to giant river turtles, the largest river turtles on the planet, for a million years. Their shell is more than a meter in diameter.
It is one of the natural wonders of our planet. In terms of world fame, the river competes with the Indian Ganges and the Egyptian Nile. The unique ecosystem of the longest water artery on earth (more than 7 thousand km from the source) attracts lovers of exoticism, brightness tropical flora and fauna, and ordinary tourists - lovers natural beauty. The vast expanses of the Amazon, which amazes with the richness of flora and fauna, are home to about 1.5 million of the most diverse species of plants and animals; without exaggeration, this corner of the planet can be called the world's genetic fund. According to scientists, per 10 km² of tropical forest there are more than 1,800 species of birds, 250 species of various mammals, about 2 thousand different species of fish and countless invertebrates and insects of all kinds (many of their species are still unknown to the scientific world).
The Amazon River basin, which contains 10 longest rivers of the world, together with all its tributaries, occupies approximately 40% of the territory.
In essence, it is a humid jungle and swamps stretching along the equator, so climatic conditions The lowlands are practically the same throughout. The Amazon basin is distinguished by the most extensive tropical evergreen forest on Earth, the climate of which is hot and humid, the air temperature throughout the year is stable, here it constantly remains + 25-28 ° C, even at night the temperature almost never drops below + 20 ° C.
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Fauna
Tropical forests are home to many rare species of animals, some of which are on the verge of extinction. Among these animals we should mention the baker, spider monkey, sloth, armadillo, Caymanian freshwater dolphin, crocodile, and boa.
Near the shores of the Amazon, there is a tapir, an excellent swimmer, although its body weight can reach 200 kg. The tapir most often moves along paths near the river; it feeds on algae, as well as leaves, twigs and fruits of coastal plants.
Near rivers you can often find the world's largest rodent - capybara, whose weight reaches up to 50 kg, and in appearance the animal resembles a guinea pig. Animals coming to drink near the shore are watched by anacondas (a species of the largest snakes from the subfamily of boas), which also hunt in the water; it is not for nothing that they are also called water boas. An anaconda can even strangle a caiman (Spanish: Cayman, a genus of reptiles of the alligator family).
One of the very dangerous inhabitants jungle, and, at the same time, a water-loving representative of the cat family, is the jaguar, which is called “d’iaguar” (“Like us”).
The incredible number of birds living in the river basin is staggering; nowhere else in the world can such a number and species diversity of birds be found. Most birds feed on insects, which in turn feed on plants. Plants, trying to protect themselves from voracious insects, produce various potent, most often toxic, substances, most of which have medicinal qualities. Therefore, the jungle can safely be called a treasure trove medicinal plants, used in scientific and folk medicine.
Among the forest birds one can note the forest falcon, toucan, macaw, bald parrot, fly eater, hummingbird, as well as the gaviao bird of prey.
Among insects, there are over 1,800 species of butterflies and more than 200 species of mosquitoes.
In general, in the Amazon jungle, the territory of which is more than 6 million km² and covers 9 countries of South America, there live as many different organisms as there are on any “piece” of our planet. A huge number of diverse trees allow us to rightfully call the Amazon jungle the “Tree of Life”. In fact, every tree is home to more than 400 species of insects alone! In the dense crowns of trees and among the vines live monkeys, birds, snakes and bats. Did you know that almost 50% of all living organisms known to scientists today live in the Amazon basin, every year this tropical world gives us more and more new varieties of plants and animals, hitherto unknown.
The tropical forest is divided into peculiar tiers in which they live different kinds, many animals do not even move vertically, remaining all the time in their natural niche. One of these unique animals is Amazon sloth, which, living up to its name, practically does not move, it constantly hangs on branches or on vines. It is interesting that these animals are completely incapable of moving on the ground, they can neither walk nor stand, but sloths are wonderful swimmers.
On one of the islands, located in the middle of the river, on an area of more than 800 hectares, there is a unique eco-park, which gives sick and confiscated monkeys the opportunity to adapt to the environment. wild environment. The island contains more than 20 species of primates; there are quite rare species here that cannot be seen in any zoo in the world. This one is exceptional nature reserve was created for environmental purposes, as well as as a scientific center engaged in the study of primates.
- an irreplaceable natural ecosystem, which today is threatened with extinction due to massive cutting down of trees. Ruthless exploitation of forests leads to soil erosion and the death of many species of plants and animals. Nowadays it is extremely rare to find here Amazonian otter(lat. Ptesonura brasilensis). The list of endangered species has already included the mahogany tree (Spanish: Rio Palenque) and the unique Brazilian rosewood(Palisander Rosewood) with amazingly beautiful wood from which expensive furniture is made.
The waters of the Amazon are rich in river inhabitants: the number and diversity of representatives of the river depths is simply amazing, but this is not surprising, because just one of the river’s tributaries carries more water than all European rivers combined!
Underwater inhabitants of the Amazon
According to scientists, tens of millions of years ago, in the place of the Amazon, there was a sea that divided the South American continent into northern and southern parts. Due to land formation processes, this territory began to slowly rise, sea water gradually desalinated, and the ancestors of some of today's inhabitants of the Amazon managed to adapt to fresh river water.
This kind of inhabitants includes: massive bull fish (reaching a length of 4 m and weighing more than 500 kg) and typical sea fish- stingray Interestingly, the Pink Dolphin's neck spine is not fused together, allowing it to bend its neck at right angles to its body.
Rich animal world The Amazon is also represented by the freshwater white river dolphin inia (lat. Inia geoffrensis) and nutria (in Europe, this animal is specially bred on fur farms).
The variety of fish species found in the Amazon and its tributaries is simply amazing. By the way, many popular aquarium fish, for example, swordtails, guppies, angelfish and armored catfish come from here. Only in the Amazon basin are there fish such as tambaqui (Spanish Tambaqui, Latin Colossoma macropomum) - an omnivorous predator that grows up to 90 cm in length, feeding on seeds and fruits of rubber trees falling into the water; protoptera (lat. Protopterus) - a species of lungfish, one of the last on the planet; as well as the arawana fish (Spanish Arawana, Latin Osteoglossum bicirrhosum), reaching a length of up to 1 m, which, jumping out of the water, grabs insects from tree branches hanging over the river.
Herbivores include exotic wedge-bellied fish, which can fly through the air for more than 10 m, as well as very impressive (up to 4 meters), but completely harmless arapaima, their rough tongue (the Indians use it instead of a grater, rubbing roots) helps manatees prevent the river from becoming overgrown with algae.
In addition to herbivores, the Amazon is also home to many predators. It is impossible not to mention here one of the most famous inhabitants of the Amazon, piranhas - small flat fish (13 - 40 cm long), unusually voracious, with a powerful lower jaw. The triangular teeth of piranhas are arranged in such a way that when the fish closes its mouth, they resemble the teeth of a gear. Piranhas lead a predatory lifestyle; they even attack large animals crossing the river. They are also dangerous for people: attracted by the smell of blood, schools of these fish attack prey, gnawing the victim down to the bones with lightning speed.
It should be noted that, despite their frightening reputation, not all types of piranha are so terrible: only 4 out of 18 are dangerous to humans modern species. But it’s better not to mess with carnivorous piranhas. It is a little reassuring that this fish, which has a small mouth, is not able to bite off large pieces, so schools of piranhas pose a real danger.
As you know, piranhas sense blood in water from a great distance. Sensing prey, the school frantically rushes towards it, and if the animal carelessly gets within reach, the fish finish it off in a matter of minutes. So, in 1981, red piranhas set the most monstrous world record: a ferry sank near the city of Obidos (), and more than 300 people were eaten alive by a school of fish in a few minutes.
It is not very pleasant to meet a giant Amazonian crocodile - caiman, a relative of the North American alligator. The caiman is especially dangerous because this animal is a real genius of camouflage; it is not easy to immediately identify a floating “log”. He often moves with a “wreath” of water hyacinth decorating his head.
Fish like flathead catfish(Latin Phractocephalus hemioliopterus) and haraki (Spanish Jaraqui, main commercial fish Amazons) due to the ability to vibrate their swim bladder by contracting muscles, are able to make piercing sounds. The Amazonian flathead catfish can reach more than 2 m in length and up to 80 kg. weight, this fish makes loud trumpet sounds, similar to the roar of an elephant, which spread over the water at a distance of up to 100 m. And male harakas during spawning make a very loud sound, reminiscent of the noise of a running motorcycle engine. The abundance and diversity of “singing” fish in the Amazon is apparently explained by the significant amount of humus and limestone impurities in the river. In conditions of high turbidity river waters Visual communication between fish becomes difficult, so they use sounds.
The Amazonian splasher fish can be safely sent to the Olympics, because the accuracy of its “shooting” is beyond belief - the “spit” of the splasher, mind you, from under the water, hits the target (usually an insect) from a distance of more than 1.5 m!
Many amazing animals are found in the Amazon, including “mammalian” fish that have glands along their sides that secrete a liquid similar to milk. The young generation of this amazing fish feeds on its mother’s “milk”.
Completely unique electric eel, found in the underwater thickets of the river. In addition to the fact that it has special organs capable of producing a “discharge” of up to 600 V, the stingray also has a radar. Simply a unique mobile power station!
The list of unique fish and aquatic animals living in the Amazon goes on and on!
Dangerous Animals of the Amazon
The amazing world of wild flora and fauna that reigns in the area of the world's largest river may be unsafe for people. After all, poisonous and dangerous animals are found everywhere in the Amazon.
In addition to the aforementioned Amazonian piranha, vampire fish, and jaguars, there are various Poisonous snakes, frogs and spiders. These animals are dangerous and, at the same time, very rare species.
frogs
Frogs living on the coast, as well as in the forests of the Amazon Basin, undoubtedly deserve special mention:
- “Ranitomeya summersi” (Latin) is a genus of frogs from the order of tailless amphibians, dart frogs (they live in tropical forests). This is a poisonous species of frog that was recently discovered in Peru in 2008. The frog is distinguished by unique bright orange patterns covering its entire body and a “black mask” that hides its eyes.
- "Ameerega pepperi" (lat.) - also a species of poisonous frog, found in Peru in 2009, with an unusual bright skin color (bright green with shades of blue).
- "Osteocephalus yasuni" is another species of unusual frog that was discovered in the last century (in 1999). The habitat of this frog is the Amazon basin in Colombia, Peru and.
- "Ranitomeya benedict" - dwarf poison dart frog, this tiny tree frog lives in low-lying rain forests, is very poisonous and dangerous. It was first found in 2008 in Peru. In addition to the fact that the frog is very beautiful, it is also useful: the poison of the frog is used in medicine as an effective painkiller.
- "Hypsiboas liliae" - a unique frog, of the rarest kind. It is bright green in color, with large, strongly bulging eyes and iridescent blue skin on its abdomen.
- "Nymphargus wileyi" - unusual interesting view frogs, first found in Ecuador. The frog is distinguished by the fact that it has a green color and such transparent skin on its abdomen that everything is clearly visible through it. internal organs amphibian (for which they were nicknamed “glass frogs”).
- "Osteocephalus castaneicola" is a frog first discovered in Bolivia as recently as 2009. The frog has silver-gray skin with a fashionable "tiger" pattern on its legs.