Animals of the Amazon rainforest
By Rhett A. Butler [April 1, 2019]
The Amazon is home to more species of plants and animals than any other terrestrial ecosystem on the planet—perhaps 30 percent of the world's species are found there. Its biodiversity—the term used to describe biological richness—is staggering: a single bush in the Amazon may harbor more species of ants than the entire British Isles, while a single hectare of forest (about two and a half acres) can contain more than 500 species of trees. A single park may boast over 1,400 species of butterflies, showcasing the extraordinary wealth of life in this region.
Explore the incredible diversity of Amazonian wildlife:
Amazon biodiversity by the numbers:
- 40,000 plant species
- 16,000 tree species
- 3,000 fish species
- 1,300 bird species
- 430+ mammal species
- 1,000+ amphibian species
- 400+ reptile species
Some of the most iconic animals found in the Amazon rainforest include:
-
Mammals
- Jaguar
- Puma
- Ocelot
- Margay
- Capybara
- Sloth (multiple species)
- Giant river otter
- Giant anteater
- Brazilian tapir
- Tamarins and marmosets (several species)
- Spider monkey (several species)
- Woolly monkey
- Capuchin monkey (several species)
- Squirrel monkey (several species)
- Uakari monkey (several species)
- Titi monkey (several species)
- Howler monkey (several species)
- Saki monkey (several species)
- Amazon pink river dolphin
- Coatimundi
- Kinkajou
- Agouti
- Paca
- Armadillo
- Peccary (several species)
- Hoatzin
- Macaws and other parrots (many species)
- Harpy eagle
- Crested eagle
- Black-collared hawk
- Toucans (several species)
- Antbirds (antpittas, antshrikes, antwrens, etc.)
- Kingfishers (many species)
- Parakeets (many species)
- Flycatchers (many species)
- Woodpeckers (many species)
- Tanagers (many species)
- Manakins (many species)
- Andean cock-of-the-rock
- Guans (many species)
- Storks and herons (many species)
- Hummingbirds (many species)
- Oropendola
- Sunbittern
- Horned screamer
- Green anaconda
- Boa constrictor
- Fer-de-lance
- Bushmaster
- Coral snake
- Caiman (several species)
- Poison dart frogs (many species)
- Tree frogs (many species)
- Amazon leaf frog
- Iguanas and other lizards
- Basilisk lizard
- Freshwater turtles (many species)
- Arapaima (Pirarucu)
- Piranha
- Arowana
- Electric eel
- Giant catfish
- Neon tetras and other aquarium fish
- Discus and angelfish
- Plecos (many species)
- Pacus
- Hatchetfish
- Knifefish
Birds
Reptiles & Amphibians (Herps)
Fish
Amazon rainforest section contents:
