Tropical rainforests, with their rich biodiversity, are essential habitats for many animal species such as the Green Anaconda, the Amazon River Dolphin, Glass Frogs, and Sun Bears.
1. Green Anaconda
The Green Anaconda is found in tropical rainforests, swamps, and rivers in South America. It is one of the largest snake species in the world, being the heaviest and the second longest. This non-venomous snake can kill an adult human by constricting. It has a semi-aquatic lifestyle, often hiding underwater to ambush its prey.
2. Cassowary
The Cassowary lives in the tropical rainforests of New Guinea and northeastern Australia. It is the third largest bird in the world. Female cassowaries are usually more brightly colored than males.
3. Glass Frog
The Glass Frog belongs to the amphibian family Centrolenidae, scientifically known as Hyalinobatrachium valerioi. This amphibian primarily has a bright green skin color, but its belly is transparent, allowing observers to see its digestive system clearly. They are found in the tropical rainforests of Central and South America.
4. Jaguar
The Jaguar is a fierce predator found in the tropical rainforests of Central and South America. It is the largest wild cat in the Americas and the third largest in the world after tigers and lions. Jaguars can easily adapt to the humid environment of rainforests and live comfortably in watery habitats such as swamps and riverbanks.
5. Squirrel Monkey
Photo: slo-tech.com
Squirrel Monkeys are small primates living in the tropical rainforests of South America. Researchers consider them to be the smallest monkeys in the world. There are about 22 species of Squirrel Monkeys currently living. Most female Squirrel Monkeys give birth to twins.
6. Mata Mata Turtle
The Mata Mata Turtle is one of the most uniquely shaped turtles in the world. It has a triangular head and a flattened body and shell. Its shape and color allow it to blend in with tree bark or leaves, providing camouflage from predators. Mata Mata Turtles inhabit tropical rainforests in the Amazon and Orinoco river basins.
7. Okapi
The Okapi resembles a hybrid between a zebra and an antelope, even being mistaken for a unicorn. However, this peculiar animal is most closely related to the giraffe. They inhabit tropical rainforests in Central Africa, primarily feeding on leaves, ferns, grasses, and fruits. The Okapi’s long tongue helps it clean its eyes and ears.
8. Amazon River Dolphin
The Amazon River Dolphin, also known as Boto, is one of the five known species of river dolphins and the largest among them. They inhabit the dark waters of the Amazon and Orinoco river basins in South America. Amazon River Dolphins often swim in flooded forests and are also referred to as pink dolphins.
9. Sun Bear
The Sun Bear is the smallest species in the bear family, primarily found in the tropical rainforests of Southeast Asia. It is one of the two bear species in the world that have adapted to life in tropical rainforests and is the only bear that primarily lives in trees. This bear is distinguished by a prominent U-shaped mark on its chest.
10. Gibbons
Gibbons are the largest primates in the family of gibbons. They originate from tropical rainforests in Southeast Asia. A distinctive feature of this species is their large throat sac, which allows them to produce loud and recognizable calls. These calls can also help them establish territorial boundaries with other competing species.
