August 04, 2023
Image source: Unsplash
By Aswirbaad Das, Govind Kolady
The Amazon Basin is one of the world’s largest and most diverse hotspots of fauna, stretching across 4.6 million square miles of South America. Let us learn about the 7 largest creatures living there.
Image source: Unsplash
Stunning, elusive and endangered, the mighty jaguar is a fearsome predator in the Amazon. The third-largest cat in the world after lions and tigers, jaguars are expert climbers, swimmers and hunters. They are also very adept at hiding in plain sight.
Image source: Unsplash
Get ready for goosebumps upon seeing the black caiman! These dark, scaly beings are the largest of the Amazon reptiles, growing up to 10–14 feet long and sometimes even weighing over 360 kilograms. They hunt everything that gets in their way, including fellow caimans!
With their poise and prolific armour, giant armadillos look like knights of the forest! These nocturnal beings can grow up to 5 feet long and weigh up to 60 kilograms. They also possess long front claws and about 80–100 teeth, which is more than any other mammal!
Amazonian manatees are so elusive that they are even called ‘ghost animals’ in the local communities! The smallest of the manatee species, these herbivorous aquatic beings can still grow up to 2.5 metres long and weigh up to 300 kilograms.
Image source: Wikimedia Commons
The cutest and largest rodent in the world can also be found in the Amazon! The capybaras can grow up to 4 feet long and weigh up to 70 kilograms. They are commonly found in swampy areas, or near lakes and rivers, and are very sociable beings living in groups of 10–30 individuals.
Image source: Wikimedia Commons
These majestic beings are the biggest and strongest raptors in the Amazon. Harpy eagles grow up to 3.5 feet long, with wingspans of 7.4 feet, and also possess huge talons of about 5 inches long for lifting off prey like monkeys, sloths and even armadillos!
Image source: Wikimedia Commons
The green anacondas have achieved cult status in the Amazon! These giant beings measure up to 25 feet in length and weigh up to an astonishing 250 kilograms. Also, what makes up for their lack of venom is their ability to suffocate, kill and swallow their prey whole!
Image source: Wikimedia Commons