Did you know that most of the oxygen we breathe is produced by plants in the rainforest? The Amazon rainforest sits in the Amazon river basin in South America. It is one of the largest rainforests on the planet, and its lush green forests are home to hundreds of unique and beautiful animals. Most of these animals are found only in the Amazon, nowhere else on Earth.
Sadly, the mass destruction of these forests through deforestation has left many Amazon animals without a home. Many are on the brink of extinction. Some have been lost forever due to excessive hunting and the cutting of trees. In this article, we will look at the different animals that live in the Amazon rainforest.
List of Amazon Rainforest Animals
It may sound simple, but life in the Amazon rainforest is not easy at all. Every animal is constantly struggling and competing just to survive.
Animals in the Amazon Rainforest: Birds
One of the most beautiful sights in the world is watching a bird fly freely against a blue sky. Amazon rainforest birds come in a huge variety of sizes, shapes, and calls, as well as vibrant colors. Some are migratory birds, they fly all the way from the United States to Central America or down to the Amazon for part of the year. The ocellated turkey, the rufous-bellied thrush, and the Tennessee warbler are just a few of the pretty birds you can find in the Amazon.
Animals in the Amazon Rainforest: Insects
More than half of all the species in the Amazon rainforest are insects. It is hard to believe, but scientists estimate there are over 500,000 kinds of beetles living in the Amazon alone!
You will also find spectacular butterflies, soft furry white planthoppers, multicoloured leafhoppers, and red-eyed dragonflies. There are many species of butterfly, including the delicate iguazu butterflies and the Owl butterflies and postman butterflies.
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Animals in the Amazon Rainforest: Herps
There is a huge collection of reptiles and amphibians living in the Amazon rainforest. These herps (reptiles and amphibians) include: many species of lizards, turtles, tortoises, crocodiles, frogs, toads, salamanders, newts, etc.
Frequently Asked Questions
What percentage of all animal species live in the Amazon rainforest?
About 20% (one in five) of all animal species on Earth are found in the Amazon rainforest.
How many kinds of beetles live in the Amazon?
Scientists estimate over 500,000 species of beetles alone exist in the Amazon rainforest.
What are herps?
Herps is a collective term for reptiles and amphibians, including lizards, turtles, crocodiles, frogs, and salamanders.
Why are Amazon rainforest animals endangered?
The mass destruction of forest through deforestation destroys habitats, while excessive hunting has also pushed many species to the brink of extinction.
Why Amazon Animals Need Our Help
These are just a few of the hundreds of amazing animals that live in the rainforest. Together, these animals and their habitat make our planet a truly glorious place. Without them, the whole ecosystem would fall apart, and humans would feel the effects too.
Think about it this way: imagine someone bulldozed your home and left you with nowhere to live. That is exactly what deforestation does to Amazon animals. The take-away message from this article is simple, we need to save the animals and save the forest. Every tree that stays standing is a home that is kept safe.
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Fun fact for today!About 20% of all animals in the world are from the Amazon rainforest, that's one in every five species on Earth!