By Mary Freeman
Contained completely in
South America and spanning over eight countries, more than half of the world's species of plants and animals reside in the Amazonian rain forest.
Birds
Ecuadorian Parrot
Home to approximately one-third of the planet's bird population, the Macaw, one of the most colorful and popular birds in the world, is found here. The Amazon usually serves as a resting point for migrating birds, both from the south and from the north.
Mammals
Sloth in the Rainforest
The majority of the over 300 species of mammals living in the Amazon are bats, rodents, or edentates (armadillos, sloths, and anteaters). The Capybara, the world's largest rodent at 200 pounds, makes its home here.
Reptiles and Amphibians
Illegal poaching and deforestation has been a serious threat to the Amazon's reptile and amphibian population. Powerfully toxic and equally colorful, the poisonous dart frog is one of the most well-known endangered amphibians living in the Amazon today.
Fish and Aquatic Animals
Topping out at nearly 3,000 species, the Amazon contains the world's largest number of freshwater fish species. Like other saltwater critters that have evolved into freshwater animals, there are two different types of freshwater dolphins that live in the Amazon River.
Insects
Dominating the Amazon, insects make up over 90% of the animal species here. About 50,000 species of insects can be found in any one square mile of the forest.
About the Author:
Mary Freeman is a freelance writer. She has held several editorial positions at the print publication, "The Otter Realm." She traveled throughout Europe, which ultimately resulted in an impromptu move to London, where she stayed for eight months. This life experience inspired her to pursue travel writing. Freeman received a degree in human communication from California State University.
