The humid tropical forest is home to more animal species than any other ecosystem. But don't expect many large animals. Most species are small, but many of them are quite brightly colored. Especially among the birds, one can find numerous very colorful species, like the noisy Macaws, the Cock of the Rock, Trogons, Quetzals and numerous hummingbirds. But other groups of animals also have very brightly colored species, Particularly the insects, amphibians and snakes.
It is reckaned that half of the species of the earth live in the Andes 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 conditions 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 animal species of the Amazon.
Yasuni National Park and Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve are the two main Amazon parks of Ecuador, each covering more that 2000 sq miles of virgin forest. Yasuni is the larger one and has most likely a somewhat higher species 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 small rivers. The importance of this is as follows. When walking through the Amazon, the contrast between the sky and the of the tree crowns make the latter look almost black and it is very difficult to distinguish fauna.
The number of birds in Cuyabeno is approaching 600 recorded species, while 10 species of monkeys call Cuyabeno home. Most mammals in the Amazon are rather small and many of them spend most of their lives in the canopies of the forest. At 25 - 35 m high, it is quite difficult to distinguish them. Along small rivers and creeks, however, the forest tends to be lower and trees have lower branches and many birds like to perch along the river shores. The light can easily penetrate from the opening in the sky created by the river onto the branches and leaves rather than passing through them as is the case in the closed forest. Therefore the animals are much more visible from the water. Among the Andes-Amazon countries, only the lake areas of the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve have such ideal conditions. 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 mountains additional variety of species.
Water wildlife is, of course, less abundant in the more terrestrial rainforest parks. In the wetlands of Cuyabeno, one can find cayman, anacondas and boas, both Amazon dolphin species, capibaras, manatees, and Giant Otters. Of course water birds are quite common, and the park is also known for some of the most famous and infamous fishes, like piranhas, bagres, electric eels, and. while difficult to see, some of the smaller tropical fishes have incredible colors.
With so many lakes and slow-flowing small rivers, such great wildlife visibility, convenient access and reasonable prices, many consider Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve the greatest Amazon park in the world. 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 reckaned that half of the species of the earth live in the Andes 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 conditions 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 animal species of the Amazon.
Yasuni National Park and Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve are the two main Amazon parks of Ecuador, each covering more that 2000 sq miles of virgin forest. Yasuni is the larger one and has most likely a somewhat higher species 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 small rivers. The importance of this is as follows. When walking through the Amazon, the contrast between the sky and the of the tree crowns make the latter look almost black and it is very difficult to distinguish fauna.
The number of birds in Cuyabeno is approaching 600 recorded species, while 10 species of monkeys call Cuyabeno home. Most mammals in the Amazon are rather small and many of them spend most of their lives in the canopies of the forest. At 25 - 35 m high, it is quite difficult to distinguish them. Along small rivers and creeks, however, the forest tends to be lower and trees have lower branches and many birds like to perch along the river shores. The light can easily penetrate from the opening in the sky created by the river onto the branches and leaves rather than passing through them as is the case in the closed forest. Therefore the animals are much more visible from the water. Among the Andes-Amazon countries, only the lake areas of the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve have such ideal conditions. 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 mountains additional variety of species.
Water wildlife is, of course, less abundant in the more terrestrial rainforest parks. In the wetlands of Cuyabeno, one can find cayman, anacondas and boas, both Amazon dolphin species, capibaras, manatees, and Giant Otters. Of course water birds are quite common, and the park is also known for some of the most famous and infamous fishes, like piranhas, bagres, electric eels, and. while difficult to see, some of the smaller tropical fishes have incredible colors.
With so many lakes and slow-flowing small rivers, such great wildlife visibility, convenient access and reasonable prices, many consider Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve the greatest Amazon park in the world. 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 biologist who have been helping to protect wild animals through great ecotours and building Amazon lodges as well as other great programs to enjoy nature.
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