What Are Some Animals That Live In South America
If you've travelled in South America, you lot've no doubt seen all manner of strange, exciting, scary and downright weird animals. If you oasis't travelled through this magical continent or didn't come across as many bonkers creatures as you wanted, keep reading to run across some of our favourite Due south American animals!
When I returned dwelling from my showtime trip to South America I went through the obligatory motions of visiting the family I'd neglected since leaving the UK. It was subsequently I spent an hour showing my fiddling blood brother pictures of all the animals I'd had the opportunity of seeing first manus in South America, he turned to me and asked, "Tim, what kind of animals alive in South America?" – Clearly it's non merely my friends, parents, grandparents, uncles, aunties and cousins who glaze over when I try to show them travel photos, it'due south my five-twelvemonth-old brother as well…
Rather than listing them off again and slowly watch his eyes glaze over, I thought I'd write them here in the hopes of finding a more willing audience!
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How many of these Southward American Animals accept y'all seen?
1. Galapagos Giant Tortoise
- Where is it plant: The Galapagos
- Conservation Status: Endangered
- Interesting Fact: Lonesome George was the final Giant Tortoise of his species. He was discovered in 1971 and was the only Pinta Island Tortoise to accept survived the onslaught of invasive species introduced to the isle. He died in June 2012 after several failed attempts to breed him with other closely related species of Giant Tortoises.
When explorers kickoff arrived at the Galapagos Islands, close to m kilometres w of Ecuador'south mainland, they were diddled away by the sheer abundance of life. Possibly the most iconic of which is the Galapagos Behemothic Tortoise. You tin can even get a postage of a Galapagos Tortoise in your passport if yous visit the islands!
There are currently 10 species of Galapagos Giant Tortoises left of the 15 that existed before the arrival of humans. The largest of these weigh over 400 kg and measure merely under 2 metres in length!
Due to human action on the island, the tortoises have been dying off at an incredible rate. When Darwin fabricated his famous trip to The Galapagos there were an estimated 250,000 giant tortoises that called the archipelago home. By the fourth dimension the 1970s rolled around, at that place was less than 3000.
Why? There is a number of reasons just initially, it was because they were just and then damn tasty. Subsequently on, it became apparent the tortoises are as well full of valuable oils and fats that could be used to waterproof boats or continue candles burning.
Finally, other invasive species followed humans to the islands and quickly dominated the ecosystem. Rats ate tortoise eggs like they were going out of style and livestock demolished the flora that the tortoises rely on to survive. Even today, baby Behemothic Tortoises cannot survive in the wild. Every unmarried tortoise nether l years onetime, on the isle was raised in captivity and released when it was big enough to survive.
The good news: Thanks to massive efforts by the Ecuadorian authorities, there is an estimated twenty,000 Giant Tortoises roaming around the Galapagos Islands today. If you are lucky enough to visit, you will be able to see them everywhere!
2. Anaconda
- Where is information technology establish: Colombia, Venezuela, the Guianas, Republic of ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil likewise as Trinidad and Tobago
- Conservation Condition: To the lowest degree Concern
- Interesting Fact: The largest Anaconda ever found was over 8.5 meters long and more than 44 inches circular. It is estimated to take weighed over 250 kg!
Whilst there are 4 unlike species of Anaconda, people often use the name when referring to the Light-green or Common Anaconda. This monster snake is the largest of the Anaconda species and truly is a sight to behold.
They are generally a nighttime green, brown colour with blackness or chocolate-brown spots running forth the rear one-half of their trunk. They accept large heads (all the better to swallow yous with) and after killing their prey, they consume it whole.
Anacondas are the heaviest snake species in the world and the second-longest, with only the Reticulated Python from Southeast Asia beingness longer. They are non-venomous which will give the Ophidiophobes among you some sense of relief… Until you acquire they are constrictors who are easily every bit strong equally ten men.
They employ their massive strength to hunt other powerful carnivores such equally Jaguars or Caiman. Any animal that can accept down some of the worlds well-nigh formidable predators needs to exist treated with respect.
They mainly chase in the water, where they are most agile and either constrict prey so tightly that blood cannot get to the brain, or just concord their victim underwater until it drowns.
The good news is, there is very picayune scientific evidence of Anacondas eating people, just stories and legends passed down within local communities. At that place have too been reports of cannibalism within the species – one gigantic snake eating some other is probably non an epitome yous'd forget in a hurry!
iii. Capybara
- Where is it found: Every Southward American country except Chile
- Conservation Status: Least Business organisation
- Interesting Fact: Whilst the Capybara is the largest living rodent, it pales in comparison to the extinct rodent Josephoartigasia Monesi, which roamed Due south America between 2 and 4 one thousand thousand years agone and on average would have weighed 900 kg!
Standing over fifty cm tall, 130 cm long and weighing in at around 50 kg, Capybaras are the largest living species of rodent on world. Whilst they're non big plenty to ride into battle, they are super cute!
They tend to alive in big groups and in that location are often multiple groups populating the aforementioned areas. Ideally, they choose to live in heavily forested areas nearly bodies of water, such as the Bolivian Pampas.
They are excellent swimmers and can remain underwater for up to 5 minutes at a time. They even mate in the water! This mating behaviour suits the females very well every bit they tin can dive downward or head to state if their current partner isn't doing it for them. We've all been at that place.
Seeing these creatures up close is something that y'all will never forget. They expect like giant guinea pigs! And just like guinea pigs, they as well have little concern for how much sleep people need, and then if you lot accept 1 most your jungle hut at dark, the constant screeching and snaffling will keep you awake into the wee hours!
iv. Piranha
- Where is it institute: River systems across S America
- Conservation Status: Not Evaluated
- Interesting Fact: Reverse to common belief, Piranhas aren't all carnivores. Many species regularly eat plant matter equally part of a balanced omnivorous nutrition and some are even 100% herbivore. They probably aren't paying much attention to their 5 a mean solar day though.
Thanks to the pet trade and idiotic owners releasing them into locals rivers, Piranhas tin can be found across the globe only they are native to the South American continent.
Piranhas have a rough reputation, thanks in part to films such equally Piranha, Piranha 3D and the masterpiece otherwise known as Piranha 3DD. The practiced news is that, outside of these modernistic classics, there are very few documented cases of Piranhas attacking salubrious human beings. Sure at that place are cases of homo corpses washing upwards on river banks one-half-eaten by Piranhas but postal service mortem show always confirms that the person was severely injured or already expressionless when they entered the water.
If yous are still feeling a tad nervous, but picture a Piranha missing a quarter of its teeth, like a v-yr-sometime but starting school. Feeling improve? Piranhas replace their teeth just like sharks only unlike the apex predators, they practice it a quarter of their rima oris at a time. Information technology is common to see Piranhas with but one-half their lower jaw covered in teeth – if you're brave enough to get that shut of grade.
When caught or threatened Piranhas have been recorded equally making barking noises to try and scare their aggressor. I know I've already said in that location is no demand to fright Piranhas but any fish that can impersonate mans best friend needs to be watched carefully. Who knows what they're upward to.
5. Andean Condor
- Where is it found: Andes Mount range although they are much less common in the farthermost north, such as Colombia and Venezuela
- Conservation Condition: Near Threatened
- Interesting Fact: Although they look similar and make full the same niche, Condors are not related to vultures. They are a great example of convergent evolution for you lot biology nerds!
1 of the heaviest flight birds in the world, Andean Condors tip the scales at 15 kg. They are then heavy that they cannot take off from the basis then instead, they throw themselves from cliffs or high perches in club to permit their massive 3.3 metre wings to provide lift. Colca Coulee in Republic of peru is a smashing place to see these magnificent creatures soaring over your head.
Condors are scavengers and as such, take to travel vast distances in order to find a carcass to consume. This ways they tin fly well over 100 miles a day in search of a good repast. Once they've found their buffet of choice, usually a dead deer or cow, they have been known to gorge themselves and so much that they cannot fly at all. Instead, they take to rest and digest earlier attempting to take flight.
When working with these massive birds in Peru, I was told that they very rarely fly in the mornings because the condensation on their feathers makes them too heavy! That's the same reason I don't stand up on the scales in the forenoon…
The long feathers at the tip of their wings are much prized by shaman within local S American communities. In most Due south American countries it is illegal to sell, merchandise or possess these feathers to preclude people hunting the birds. Punishment for existence in possession of the feathers can exist astringent. Avoid taking one home every bit a souvenir!
6. South American Camelids
- Where is information technology found: Andean Mountain Range
- Conservation Condition: Least concern
- Interesting Fact: There are 4 species of Camelid in Due south America; Llamas, Alpacas, Vicuñas and Guanacos.
Mention S America and images of Llamas roaming around Machu Picchu jump to mind but in that location is more to S American Camelids than just these fluffy bundles of joy.
Related to the camels we all know and love, all four species of Due south American Camelid are spread across The Andes. Guanacos are more common in Argentina and Chile simply tin still be institute farther n, whereas Vicuñas tin be seen wild in Peru and Republic of bolivia but are less mutual farther southward.
Both Llamas and Alpacas are domesticated species and accept been used throughout South America even in Pre-Incan times. The wool, meat and hides of all four animals accept been used for centuries just each species produces slightly different types of each. For example, Llama wool is used mostly for blankets or rugs and the meat is compared to mutton. Alpaca wool is much finer and makes for really soft clothing only also comes at a price. The meat from Alpacas is much more like high quality beefiness.
These days it is illegal to hunt Vicuña and Guanaco for their meat simply yearly herding and shearing occurs in Peru. Considering it is so warm and soft, Vicuña wool is the most expensive wool in the earth!
Of the four species of Camelid, Llamas and Alpacas are the most common and if yous spend any time inside the Andes you will see them everywhere! Vicuña and Guanaco are rarer but if you know where to look, you can notice hordes of those too. Just exist careful around the undomesticated species as they tin be very aggressive if they feel threatened, Vicuña are known to have a vicious seize with teeth and volition often aim for the genitals of their assaulter. Don't say nosotros didn't warn you!
7. Black Caiman
- Where is it found: The Amazon Basin
- Conservation Status: Conservation Dependent (conservation efforts required to cease them from condign About Threatened)
- Interesting Fact: Black Caiman are the largest predators in The Amazon Basin!
Officially measuring around 4 metres, with unconfirmed reports of 6-metre specimens, the Black Caiman is one of the largest extant crocodilian species on earth. As the name suggests, they are a very dark colour which keeps them well hidden from their prey.
They hunt in much the same fashion as other crocodilians, waiting near riverbanks for their unsuspecting victims to come to the water for a drink. As soon every bit the prey's guard is down BAM, the caiman has them underwater in a death roll.
When travelling effectually the Amazon Basin on a sunny mean solar day, specially early in the morning, continue an eye out for these monsters as they bask in the sun. They are breathtaking animals and seeing the agility and grace they display in the water gives you a whole new appreciation for them.
Black Caiman are not fussy when it comes to food, they will literally eat anything they tin can get at. Whilst attacks on humans are uncommon, they are non unheard of. If you know you are in Caiman territory, be aware of your environment and merely enter the water if you are told it is safe to exercise so past a guide.
8. Coatimundi (Coati)
- Where is it establish: Northern South America, Primal America, Northward America
- Conservation Status: Least Concern
- Interesting Fact: Coati Coffee is some of the most expensive coffee in the globe. It is produced later the Coati eats coffee beans passes them back out the other end. The gustation and aromas are said to exist profoundly improved…
Coatis await a lot similar racoons but with a long flexible olfactory organ. Outside of South and Central America, they are known as pig-nosed coons. But like racoons, they are strong, intelligent and accept a reputation for causing trouble.
Although on first impression, these 70 cm long, half dozen kg fluff balls seem all cute and timid, don't be deceived. Hidden beneath their glossy fur and nervous nature are abrupt claws and fifty-fifty sharper needle-like teeth. I learnt this the hard way whilst working at an animal sanctuary in Republic of peru and had to become the resulting wound stitched upward past the resident vet…
Aye, I pretty much just included the Coatis in this list so I could tell that story.
Bated from giving me extra cool points, Coatis are pretty interesting animals. Their legs are virtually completely double-jointed which makes climbing up and downward copse a breeze but these adaptations don't mean they only live in heavily forested areas. Their range spreads from dry arid deserts to tropical rainforests, from open up grasslands to thousands of metres in a higher place body of water level in the Andean Mountain Range.
9. Guinea Pig
- Where is information technology plant: Worldwide but they originated in The Andes
- Conservation Status: Domesticated
- Interesting Fact: Republic of guinea pigs don't slumber for long periods. Instead, they take short cat naps whenever they need to!
I can already feel your questioning looks. Guinea Pigs? Actually? But Guinea Pigs are everywhere.
I know, these days in Europe and the Usa, Guinea Pigs are overnice family pets merely in much of Due south America, where Guinea Pigs were domesticated over 5000 years ago, they take on a much more applied purpose. Dinner.
Walk into a traditional Andean hamlet and you lot are probable to find the inhabitants sharing their pocket-size huts with hundreds, if not thousands of these fluffy rodents. Non only practice the Guinea Pigs provide a cheap, tasty, reliable source of protein but they are besides used to keep the buildings warm.
Having that many small bodies pumping out heat makes a massive difference during the long cold nights when you live over 5000 metres to a higher place bounding main level!
x. Opossum
- Where is it found: North, Key and South America
- Conservation Status: Least Business organisation
- Interesting Fact: Opossum blood contains a protein that stops venom and poison from affecting the brute!
There is shut to threescore different species of Opossum which are spread as far north as the Southern United States and equally far south as Argentina. They have evolved to fill up all sorts of environments from high above the jungle canopy to semi-aquatic life across South America's river systems.
Opossums are particularly notable as ane of the non-Australian marsupial species. Whilst they give nativity to live young. These offspring are too small, around the size of a jelly bean, to survive on their own. Subsequently birth, they climb up to their female parent'southward pouch, where they clench onto her nipple to feed and continue their growth for close to 10 weeks.
When threatened, Opossums involuntarily play dead. They will go incredibly strong, curl their lips over their teeth and release a foul-smelling odour – a lot like me subsequently a heavy dark. They have no command of this activeness merely it is ofttimes enough to deter potential predators. They can remain in this playing dead state for upwardly to four hours earlier coming round. During that time, they can exist poked, prodded and carried away without any harm existence done to them.
11. Maned Wolf
- Where is information technology plant: Brazil, Paraguay, Argentine republic, Bolivia, Republic of peru, Uruguay*
- Conservation Condition: About Threatened
- Interesting Fact: The Maned Wolf closely resembles wolves and foxes although it is non closely related to either fauna and is the only extant species within its genus.
Look at a Maned Wolf at you might assume you've stumbled into a Salvador Dali painting. This swap-legged canid stands at almost a metre alpine and just over a metre in length. It weighs in between 20-30 kg and uses its freakishly long legs to stalk the open grasslands of South America.
They generally hunt small vertebrates just are omnivorous so munch through their fair share of fruit too. They are integral to spreading the seeds of fruits similar the Wolf Apple tree.
Maned Wolves share their territory with a monogamous partner but the pair will only actually see up for developed cuddles, before going back to their own dens. Sounds similar a dream right?! Whilst apart, the pair volition communicate predominantly with scent markings, which are reported to smell like hops or cannabis. Could this exist the ultimate backpacker spirit animal?
They as well alive symbiotically with many of the creatures that share their territory. The nigh prominent example of this is that they will use Leafage Cutter Emmet nests as toilets. You'd think this was more of an insult than offering a helping hand simply the ants apply the excrement to fertilise their fungus gardens. Who knew ants were such gorging gardeners?!
* Due to devastation of their habitat, Maned Wolves haven't been sighted in Uruguay for a number of years leading some experts to believe they no longer be in the country.
12. Viscacha
- Where is it found: Well-nigh of the Andes
- Conservation Status: Least Business
- Interesting Fact: Viscacha can alive in groups of up to 100 individuals, which helps keep them safe from predators and allows them to socialise. They let out a high pitched shriek if danger is near, which warns others within their group to get to safety!
I call up sitting in our cabin at Colibri Camping ground in La Paz, Bolivia, when my girlfriend, who was sitting by the window, turned to me and said; "Tim, there'south a shady-looking rabbit with a long tail out here, I don't trust it."
Obviously, I assumed she hadn't slept enough. How could a rabbit, let solitary a rabbit with a long tail, expect shady? So I got up to have a look and low and behold, there was a encarmine shady looking rabbit with a long tail staring direct at me.
Although they do wait a lot like rabbits with sneaky looking eyes and a long tail, Viscacha are non closely related to their floppy-eared friends. They evolved to fill the same niche and take very similar behaviours. They are skittish and super quick over the crude, rocky terrain that they adopt. I tried following one along a cliff border in Bolivia until I realised I really didn't stand a gamble of getting a good photo and the cliff was pretty precarious. The Viscacha looked more than happy as it bounded mere inches from falling to certain decease!
thirteen. Spectacled Bear
- Where is it institute: Venezuela, Colombia, Republic of ecuador, Peru, Republic of bolivia, Argentina
- Conservation Status: Vulnerable
- Interesting Fact: Less than 5% of the Spectacled Conduct's nutrition is made up of meat. The residuum fruit, plants, berries and seeds. Many Spectacled Bears in captivity live on a nutrition made up of 100% fruit and veg!
Spectacled or Andean Bears are the last surviving species of curt-faced bear. If you desire to imagine how extinct megafauna looked, but stare at an Andean Carry and consider what information technology would be similar if information technology were 4 times the size. That's not to say these playful bundles of teeth and fur are small. The largest can weigh over 200 kg and are over 2 metres in length. The females of the species are significantly smaller than this though.
The bears are named for calorie-free the "spectacle patterns" on their faces. These markings are unique to each animal and the bears can easily be distinguished by the patterns.
Paddington Conduct, from deepest darkest Peru, is probably the most famous example of a spectacled bear and whilst I'thou sure real spectacled bears would also love a dollop of sweet marmalade for every meal, they don't tend to observe much of it in the wild!
14. Pink River Dolphins
- Where is information technology institute: Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela
- Conservation Status: Endangered
- Interesting Fact: Pinkish River Dolphins are the hardest species of dolphin to train and keep in captivity. Their boilerplate lifespan, after existence taken out of the wild is a mere 33 months!
Pink River Dolphins are the largest species of river dolphin in the world. Measuring in at close to 2.5 metres in length, they are much more flexible than their ocean-going brethren which helps them manoeuvre through the flooded jungles they call home. During the dry season, they are confined to the rivers but when the rains bring flooding, the dolphins accept full reward of their new playground.
Their nutrition is the most varied of non but all dolphins but of all cetaceans (dolphins, whales, porpoises, manatees) and during times of flooding, they eat whatever they can get their gobs around. It's the aforementioned way most Brits act on vacation.
Their distinctive pinkish color is caused past chafe and injury to their normally grey peel. Male person River Dolphins are unremarkably pinker than females, which can exist put down to their propensity to fight and become injure more than oft than the sensible females!
Interestingly, waterfalls or rapids across the Amazon basin provide natural barriers between different subspecies of river dolphins meaning the populations either side of never intermingle which has sped up departure betwixt groups that live geographically close together.
15. Harpy Eagle
- Where is information technology found: Central America, Venezuela, Brazil, Argentina
- Conservation Status: Near threatened
- Interesting Fact: A baby eagle is called an Eaglet which is as adorable equally hell!
Harpy Eagles are amongst the largest eagles in the world and certainly the largest bird of prey in Southward America. They can weigh upwards to 9 kg and their wings bridge close to ii.5 metres, although the males of the species are a tad smaller. Their massive wingspan is actually a little smaller than other birds in the same weight class and their tail feathers are significantly longer. This helps them wing through the trees and allows them to be much more agile than big birds who live and hunt in open basis.
The principal food source for the Harpy Eagle is sloths and monkeys just they besides hunt smaller birds when food is running low. In really desperate scenarios they have been recorded taking lambs, goats and baby pigs from farms but this is very rare.
Capuchin Monkeys make up a large portion of their diets which helps keep the population of monkeys in check. Without the Harpy Eagle, Capuchins would decimate other bird populations every bit fresh eggs are ane of their favourite meals!
xvi. Sloth
- Where is it found: Rainforests in Cardinal and South America
- Conservation Status: Differs depending on species – 4 of them are least business concern, ane is threatened and 1 is critically endangered!
- Interesting Fact: The ancient sloth, Megatherium, was 1 of the largest mammals to have ever walked the earth. Weighing up to four tons and measuring upward to 6 metres in length this megafauna went extinct at around the aforementioned fourth dimension as humans arrived in South America…
Sloths are ane of the well-nigh iconic species in South America, if not the world. They get their name from their seemingly lacklustre movements and their super slow metabolism.
The two master groups of sloth are the two-toed and three-toed varieties but these names are a chip of a misnomer. All species of sloth have 3 toes simply the two-toed sloths but have two fingers on each of their front limbs.
Even in the trees, where the sloths are at the near comfortable, they only move at around 3 metres per minute. When they exit their trees, which happens one time a week so they can poop, they motility at less than 2 metres per minute. Whilst on the ground they are at their near vulnerable but give them some water and they will really strut their stuff. Sloths are very accomplished swimmers, with their top speed being but a touch over six metres per infinitesimal.
If you ever become the opportunity to see sloths in the wild, as I did in Lomas de Arena, y'all may notice that sloth fur has a green tinge to information technology. This is caused by a blazon of algae that exists nearly exclusively on sloths. The dark-green colouration, combined with the creatures slow movement means they are incredibly hard to spot equally they munch away in the tops of trees. Equally a teenager, I tried convincing my mum that if I didn't shower I'd grow natural cover-up like sloths just for some reason, she wasn't having whatever of it.
17. Blue Footed Booby
- Where is it found: Westward Declension of the Americas from California to Peru and the Galapagos
- Status: Least Business organization
- Interesting Fact: Until contempo years, the Galapagos was home to over half the breeding population of Blue Footed Boobies but a rapid decline in fish has seen a similar drib in booby numbers.
Besides as having a proper name that makes ten-year-olds across the world suppress a snigger, Blueish Footed Boobies are pretty remarkable creatures. They wait a lot like big seagulls with a constant expression of surprise on their faces. The colour of their feet is caused by a blueish pigment within their diet. The bluer the feet, the healthier the bird. If you always see a Blueish Footed Booby with pale coloured feet, chances are it's ill or dying.
They hunt by diving into the bounding main from as high as 20 metres upwards and snap fish into their mouths. Due to the speed they hit the water when hunting, up to 60mph, evolution has sealed their nostrils shut, forcing the birds to breathe through the corners of their mouths instead.
Whilst in the air they are hyper agile birds but on state, they waddle along looking a tad manic. They nest on the ground, unremarkably in pocket-size indents caused by the cooling of lava. Thankfully, they have no natural predators so basis-nesting does non go out them at adventure. Whilst nesting, Blue Footed Boobies will constantly face the sunday. As they follow the sun's position throughout the day, they get out a perfect circumvolve of bright white poop surrounding the nest.
Every bit with all birds, the chicks are particularly cute picayune bundles of fluff!
18. Peruvian Hairless Dogs
- Where is it found: Originally from Peru but can now be found across the earth
- Conservation Status: Domesticated
- Interesting Fact: In pre-Incan times Peruvian Hairless Dogs were considered a food source. One time the Incas conquered Republic of peru's coastal region they banned the consumption of dogs entirely!
The first time I saw i of Peru's famous Hairless Dogs, I was convinced that I had but seen a poor little pooch suffering from farthermost mange. It sat there, with but a small wisp of hair atop its head and had its tongue hanging out of the side of its mouth. Sadly, seeing ill dogs on the streets is all as well common beyond most of South America.
As I got to know the country meliorate, I realised at that place was just also many of these dogs around for them to all be ill just it wasn't until I got chatting to a little old lady walking hers that I understood they were a unique breed and weren't supposed to have whatsoever hair. As we were chatting, the woman looked downwards at her niggling dog, who was wrapped up in a ridiculously bright dog coat, with dearest in her optics.
She explained to me that Peruvian Hairless Dogs come in all way of sizes. Ranging from trivial Jack Russel sized terrorisers to Dalmatian sized beasts, Peruvian Hairless Dogs are known to be super appreciating towards their owners but tin can be very timid around strangers. They tin also be very protective of children they know so have been used every bit babysitters for centuries.
Peruvian Hairless Dogs live comfortably aslope humans at elevations as high as 4000 metres higher up sea level, which seems counter-intuitive when you consider they have no fur and it gets super cold that high upwardly! Over millennia of selective convenance, these dogs accept developed a very high body temperature which negates the demand for a coat and they were used past native Southward Americans as hot h2o bottles during the cold winter months!
19. Marine Iguana
- Where is information technology institute: The Galapagos
- Conservation Status: Vulnerable
- Interesting Fact: When they first hatch, baby Marine Iguanas must eat the poop of their larger brethren. This is to build up the correct gut leaner they need to digest their diet of algae. Gross!
Marine Iguanas are only found on the Galapagos Islands and like many creatures there, have taken a unique evolutionary path. They are the only species of lizard that is capable of grazing underwater, with their primary food source being a few species of ruddy or green algae. They have been known to eat the odd crustacean in desperate times but their stomachs accept not evolved to go the near out of these small meals.
Large males of the species tend to practice all of their feeding underwater. They can dive up to thirty metres below the waves and are capable of staying under for effectually an hr, although they commonly stay closer to the shore than this, often only 5 metres down. Females and small males will do most of their feeding at depression tide when the algae-covered rocks are exposed, and then they don't have to battle with currents or the larger males. Information technology is mutual to see them running out to the rocks, grabbing a few mouthfuls of algae and running dorsum upward the beach to escape the waves.
Due to their high salt diet, Marine Iguanas accept developed a method of filtering the salt from their system and out through glands in their nostrils. They can be seen often sneezing big sticky blobs of salty liquid on anything that gets too close!
Marine Iguanas alive side by side with many other famous Galapagos animals such equally Darwin'southward Finches and Sally Lightfoot Venereal which both remove parasites and ticks from the lizard's skin.
20. Homosapiens
- Where is it found: On every continent, in every state and on well-nigh every landmass
- Conservation Status: To the lowest degree Concern
- Interesting Fact: The arrival of Homosapiens to a continent or landmass has e'er spelt disaster for the creatures that preceded them. seventy% of the globe's megafauna, that existed alongside humans, are now extinct!
I won't bore you with a clarification of human beings. Unless you are reading this a few thousand years into the hereafter (If so: Hi, we are really lamentable near the mess we fabricated), yous already know exactly what a Homosapien looks like, feels similar and thinks similar.
Humans kickoff arrived in South America between 10,000 and 15,000 years ago and since and then accept built all manner of civilisations, religions and cultures.
The starting time documented advanced civilization in South America was the Norte Chico Civilisation. Discovered in Peru's coastal region, this civilisation predated the Mesoamerican civilisations such equally the Moche, Nazca, Huari, Chimu, Aymara and Incas past over 2000 years and was booming at around the same time every bit the ancient Egyptians.
Even though well-nigh ancient Due south American cultures are no longer remembered by your boilerplate Southward American, the impact they had and the cultural ideas they passed down, are embraced by modest native populations fifty-fifty today.
In 1492 the human history in South America changed forever when Christopher Columbus sighted land in the Caribbean. This "discovery" of the new world brought untold riches back to Europe whilst simultaneously delivering death and destruction to the indigenous population. Within simply 100 years of Columbus' first voyage to the Americas, over 90% of the native population was dead.
These days, spectacular ruins of foretime cultures are dotted across South America. Ruins such equally Machu Picchu, Chan Chan, Nazca Lines, The Lost City, Kuelap and Tiwanaku can all be visited today and give us a real insight into but how advanced civilization in South America was.
Today, South American civilization is 1 of celebration, laughter, dancing and a great love for life. People don't motility speedily, they don't tend to practice things on fourth dimension and many menial tasks are buried nether layers of bureaucracy and paperwork. But the people are warm, smiley and generous and no matter how many amazing ruins or animals the continent has to offering, the existent magic comes from its people.
Take we missed your favourite South American animals from this list? Head over to our facebook community and let united states know!
Tim Ashdown | Gear Specialist
After a life-changing motorcycle blow, Tim decided life was also short to stay cooped upward in his abode county of Norfolk, Uk. Since and so, he has travelled Southeast Asia, walked the Camino de Santiago and backpacked South America. His kickoff book, From Paralysis to Santiago, chronicles his struggle to recover from the motorbike accident and will exist released later this year.
Source: https://southamericabackpacker.com/south-american-animals/
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