The Amazon is home to more animals than any other forest. But don't expect many large species. Most animal species are rather small, but many of them are quite brightly colored. Especially among the birds, one can find numerous brightly colored species, like the vociferous Macaws, the Cock of the Rock, Trogons, Quetzals and quite a few hummingbirds. But other taxons also have very brightly colored species, In particular the insects, amphibians and snakes.
It is believe that half of the species of the planet live in the Andes foothills and the Amazon wet tropics, and among the greatest numbers of species have been found in the jungles of Ecuador, right on the equator. This should not be all that surprising, because on the very equator, one is likely to find the most stable climate with less pronounced dry seasons. Under those permanently rain drenched conditions, species don't suffer so much from prolonged droughts, which can be quite deadly to species of the tropical forest.
Yasuni National Park and Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve are the two main Amazon parks of Ecuador, each covering more than half a million ha of virgin forest. Yasuni is the larger one and is most likely somewhat higher diversity. However, Cuyabeno is much better for observing mammals. This is cause by the following conditions: Cuyabeno has a network of lakes that are connected by narrow rivers. The importance of this is as follows. When walking through the rainforest, the contrast between the sky and the of the trees make the latter look almost black and it is very difficult to distinguish mammals.
Monkeys (10 species in Cuyabeno) and birds (approaching 600 recorded species) and many other animals, spend most of their lives in the tree crowns. High up there (25 - 35 m), they are very difficult to distinguish. From the water, however, many trees along the natural canals tend to be lower and many branches hang much lower than in the forest away from the water. The light can falls from the opening in the sky onto the branches and leaves rather than through them as is the case in the closed forest. Therefore the fauna is much more visible from the water. Such conditions only prevail in the lake areas of the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve and nowhere else in the Andes countries. Closeness to the Andes gives an additional benefit as they are also still home to quite a few Andes species, thus giving Amazon parks close to the Andes foothills additional numbers of species.
Moreover, many aquatic wildlife would not occur as much in terrestrial protected areas. Cuyabeno Wildlife reserve is known for its cayman, huge anacondas, both species of Amazon dolphins, capibaras, manatees, Giant Otters, among other things. And then of course there are a great number of water birds, as well as famous fish species, like piranhas, huge catfish, electric eels and countless little colorful fishes. A true El Dorado for people who love to observe wildlife.
The beautiful lakes and slow-flowing connecting natural canals, the outstanding conditions to see mammals, the great accessibility, and the affordable prices all contribute to the fact that many consider Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve the greatest national park of the Amazon region. Ecuador is the best country to go, both for researchers and tourists who like to study or simply get to know the Amazon.
It is believe that half of the species of the planet live in the Andes foothills and the Amazon wet tropics, and among the greatest numbers of species have been found in the jungles of Ecuador, right on the equator. This should not be all that surprising, because on the very equator, one is likely to find the most stable climate with less pronounced dry seasons. Under those permanently rain drenched conditions, species don't suffer so much from prolonged droughts, which can be quite deadly to species of the tropical forest.
Yasuni National Park and Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve are the two main Amazon parks of Ecuador, each covering more than half a million ha of virgin forest. Yasuni is the larger one and is most likely somewhat higher diversity. However, Cuyabeno is much better for observing mammals. This is cause by the following conditions: Cuyabeno has a network of lakes that are connected by narrow rivers. The importance of this is as follows. When walking through the rainforest, the contrast between the sky and the of the trees make the latter look almost black and it is very difficult to distinguish mammals.
Monkeys (10 species in Cuyabeno) and birds (approaching 600 recorded species) and many other animals, spend most of their lives in the tree crowns. High up there (25 - 35 m), they are very difficult to distinguish. From the water, however, many trees along the natural canals tend to be lower and many branches hang much lower than in the forest away from the water. The light can falls from the opening in the sky onto the branches and leaves rather than through them as is the case in the closed forest. Therefore the fauna is much more visible from the water. Such conditions only prevail in the lake areas of the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve and nowhere else in the Andes countries. Closeness to the Andes gives an additional benefit as they are also still home to quite a few Andes species, thus giving Amazon parks close to the Andes foothills additional numbers of species.
Moreover, many aquatic wildlife would not occur as much in terrestrial protected areas. Cuyabeno Wildlife reserve is known for its cayman, huge anacondas, both species of Amazon dolphins, capibaras, manatees, Giant Otters, among other things. And then of course there are a great number of water birds, as well as famous fish species, like piranhas, huge catfish, electric eels and countless little colorful fishes. A true El Dorado for people who love to observe wildlife.
The beautiful lakes and slow-flowing connecting natural canals, the outstanding conditions to see mammals, the great accessibility, and the affordable prices all contribute to the fact that many consider Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve the greatest national park of the Amazon region. Ecuador is the best country to go, both for researchers and tourists who like to study or simply get to know the Amazon.
About the Author:
Wesley Vanderhill is a tropical biologist who have been helping to protect wild animals through great ecotours and building Rainforest lodges as well as other great programs to enjoy nature.
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