The Amazon Rainforest is home to one fifth of all the mammal species in the world. The Amazon is also home to more than two and a half million different types of insects. Some of the most dangerous in the rainforest are the cougar, jaguar, and the anaconda (see below). There are many different ecosystems within the Amazon Rainforest for all of the millions of different species to have their habitats and homes.
The Anaconda is one of the Amazon's most dangerous animals. This ginormous snake can stretch in length up to 30 feet long! The Anaconda feeds off of mammals such as wild pigs, deer, birds, turtles, capybaras, caimans and jaguars. The reason that this snake can eat such large animals, is that its skin can stretch to incredible lengths to fit it's prey inside it's stomach. Also, the Anaconda's jaw is not hinged so it can wrap it's mouth around the prey. After the Anaconda feeds off a big meal, it does not need to feed again for months! Anacondas are very adapted to their environment. They have eyes and nostrils on the tops of their heads so they can be camouflaged into the water to hide their long bodies and sneak up on their prey and attack. When the snake has captured it's prey, they kill it by squeezing it with it's muscular body until it can no longer breath. An Anaconda's typical habitat is near moist river banks and ponds to make it easier to slither around and can keep close eyes on nearing prey. When Anacondas are babies they are born already adapted to their environment. Babies are born 2 feet long and already excellent swimmers, and are not dependent on their mother. Anacondas usually travel and live on their own. These magnificent snakes are an important part to the Amazon food chain, and an incredible animal to have in the rainforest.
The Scarlet Macaw is a very beautiful, and colourful rainforest bird. You can find the majestic parrot in the rainforest, grasslands and they make their habitats along rivers in tall tropical trees. When Scarlet Macaw babies are born, they have no feathers and have closed eyes. These tend to interact in flocks and squawk to make their presence known to their mates and babies in the forest. The Scarlet Macaw is best known for it's beautiful, bright feathers. The main purpose for the neon feathers is to be able to camouflage well into the bright fruits of the tropical forest and to stay away from any possible prey. Scarlet Macaws have very powerful beaks that make it easy for them to crack open nuts and peel fruits and adapt to their complex environment. They also have claws that are like hands that can help the birds perch and grab on to their food or supplies for their nest. Scarlet Macaws are very intelligent birds and like to keep busy by exploring their surroundings and playing with objects they find near by and figure out how they can use them for their nests or just to keep themselves entertained. Scarlet Macaws are very beautiful and fascinating creatures.
Scorpions are large insects found in the Amazon forest. You can find at least one species of Scorpions in all continents except for Antarctica. These curvy-tailed bugs feast off of other smaller insects, spiders, small mice and small lizards. These creatures tend to be large to be considered an insect and range from 1/4 of an inch long to 8 inches long. When the Scorpion has babies, they are hatched from eggs inside their mothers, then born live. These babies tag along to their mothers for several days and sometimes ride on their mother's back. Scorpions can live in neutral and not climates. Their shell helps them adapt to the heat and to protect themselves. These critters are very interesting insects to have in the Amazon.
Capybaras are the largest living rodent known to man today. They are large, beaver-like animals that have habitats near water. Capybaras live in packs of 10-30 members. These members are close to each other, and even nurse each other's babies. These rodents tend to only live in the rainforest. They tend to go hunting for food during dusk and dawn, and hang out in the heat of the day. Capybaras eat weeds and flowers and sometimes small fish. They are the prey of the great Anaconda, but they can alarm each other when one is near by barking to warm others. Sometimes one Capybara's bark can get the whole pack barking and scare the predator away. Capybaras are super interesting rodents to have in the rainforest.
The Blue Poison Frog is one of the most colourful amphibians known to the rainforest. These creatures live in the rainforest only and lives in the trees and bushes of the forest. The Blue Poison Frog can come in colours like blue, red, green, orange, yellow and black. These bright colours are a signal to other animals as a warning to not eat them because it means they are poisonous. The poison is found directly in the frog's skin and is not usually harmful to humans. These frogs are born as tadpoles and can grow up to one inch in size. This amphibian is mostly nocturnal, but also comes out in the day when they are best camouflaged. These awesome frogs are a great addition to the Amazon.