When people are asked to visualise forest life, most would immediately associate the habitat with the wild beasts living inside. However, the reality is not always in line with that – because some forest do not have wild animals living around the premises. In fact, there are only just a handful of untouched forest that still habituate these wild animals you might have in mind. One thing for sure, is that one of these habituated forest includes the famous Amazon forest.
To us Indonesians, we may be unfamiliar with the existence and living conditions that lies beyond the Amazon forest. We can only assume that the untouched territory of these wild beasts maintains to flourish at their own grandeur pace. Being the home to a large variety of species, this forest should be able to accommodate everyone’s living condition needs.
This may have you thinking – how could one large untouched territory can accommodate such a variety of species? You could even second guess the wide variety, as it may be difficult to comprehend that a large variety of species could cohabitate peacefully with one another. This begs to the next rhetorical question – just how large of the variety of species are there that exists in the Amazon forest?
In this article, we would be covering just that. So, without further ado, here are the list of wild animals that live in the Amazon forest!
1. Anacondas
One of the most famous and prominent species to live around the Amazon forest would be Anacondas. The name of this species would definitely ring a bell to most animal enthusiasts out there – especially if they are reminded of their sharp venomous fangs and large bodies.
As mentioned, Anacondas can grow very large as they reach peak adulthood – weighing around 100 kg more. On average, an adult Anaconda would grow to the length of 6 meters – which may get in the way of their agility. Regardless of their speed, Anacondas remains to be one of the top most dangerous and intimidating predators to have existed in the surface of the world.
However, readers who reside around areas far from this forest shouldn’t fear for Anaconda’s venoms. As most wild animals do, Anacondas would only reside around the forest’s premises – and would not migrate unless forcefully to. This venomous snake belongs to the wild, and should be left undisturbed to man kind.
2. Black Caiman
The next most famous species that resides in the Amazon forest would be the Black Caiman. The Black Caiman is a dangerous black crocodile with an impressive killing rate. They are so dangerous to approach that most people could argue that they are the number one predator all over the Amazon forest.
On average, an adult Black Camain could grow up to 4.8 meters in length – more than twice the average adult human could grow up to. Black Camain feeds on a numerous variety of preys – from little to large – and this does not exclude humans as one of them.
3. Tarantulas
Smaller, but just as deadly, the Tarantula is another well known species to have reside in the Amazon forest. Tarantulas are a past of the spider family, and they produce venomous poison they’d inject to their preys that would kill them instantly. Similar to the Black Camain, a Tarantula’s choice of prey is inclusive to a wide variety – including humans.
4. Mosquitos
Mosquitos do not reside exclusively in the Amazon river – as most people would recognise – but this does not cross them out as one of the most dangerous wild animals to exist in the premises. These small creatures are just as deadly as their bigger predators – just in a less conventional way.
However, in the outskirts of the Amazon forest, the mosquitos that reside around the area are slightly different than your conventional mosquitos. They are usually twice as deadly – carrying harmful diseases such as malaria and many more. Visitors and adventure enthusiasts who are looking to explore this untouched territory should not underestimate the harm a small mosquito could infect.
5. Red Belly Piranhas
Another famous Amazonian resident is the Red Belly Piranhas. Red Belly Piranhas are part of the fish family, and well known for their “scary” diets. Unlike your conventional aquarium gold fishes, Red Belly Piranhas feed on meat – which includes the human meat.
Due to their unusual diet, most households wouldn’t consider to domesticate Red Belly Piranhas in their own homes. After all, these seemingly innocent wild beast do belong in the wild – far and untouched by human kind.
6. Assassin Insects
Assassin Insects, also known as Reduviidae, is arguably considered as one of the most dangerous wild beasts in the Amazon forest. Though tiny by nature, their impact and attacks should not be underestimated. They are venomous – as the would inject poison to their prey which would kill them instantly. Much similar to the Tarantulas, these insects would also target unsuspecting humans as their prey.
7. Bull Shark
Another dangerous predator residing underneath the Amazon rivers would be the Bull Shark. Bull Shark are notoriously known for their large size and their ability to endure high sodium concentrated habitats. So, not only do they endure the worst, but they could also do the worst to their preys.
Due to their large sizes, Bull Sharks require a sufficient amount of nutrition that only comes from larger preys. Bull Sharks ability to hunt smaller fishes or any dying carcasses that has found their way in the Amazon river would help them fulfil their needs. These large preys, of course, includes humans as well.
8. Arapaima
One other water resident would be the Arapaima. As Bull Sharks are notoriously known for their large size, Arapaima has probably stolen their spotlight in this manner. In fact, one may argue that the Arapaima fish has to be the largest fresh water fish to have existed since the beginning of time.
Though it may vary per fish, an adult Arapaima can weigh up to 200 kg and grow to a length longer than 5m. This impressive physique is of course done with the help of a nutritional protein-packed diet that is fulfilled by feeding on innocent preys. They have strong teeth that could rip any unsuspecting prey in an instant – so visitors of this forest should watch out.
9. Large Centipedes
If you find yourself shivering to the thought of these creepy crawlies in the premises of your homes, imagine a giant one just casually residing in the deep ends of the Amazon forest. They’re so large that an adult large Centipede could grow up to 30 cm in length. Though creepy by physique, they do not usually hunt humans.
However, when provoke and hunting for preys, large Centipedes would inject dangerous poison to their preys which would also kill them instantly.
10. Electric Eel
Last, and certainly not least, is the famous Electric Eel. Electric Eels reside beneath the Amazon rivers, and would hunt their preys using a 300-650 volt zap from their tails – which could kill their preys almost instantly.
Though eels are often considered as an exotic delicacy, you definitely would not like to consume Electric Eels. They are poisonous when consumed – no matter the cooking method.
So this marks the end of the list of wild animals that live in the Amazon Forest. Note that these are just ten animals listed, so there are plenty more exotic animals that live around the premises. If you’re curious to find out more on their wild life, many books and written content can help you provide the right information you may need.