Amazon Wildlife in the Rainforest

As you can imagine, the Amazon jungle is full to the brim with every sort of animal you can think of. Our trips are not only for anglers but photographers and wildlife enthusiasts also. Nearly all of our destinations give you close up and personal access to an incredible array of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and insects.

When you wake up to an Amazon dawn chorus, you sure know about it! Parrots of every hue and colour yap away in the treetops, Macaws screech their way across the canopy at each other and a multitude of birds and insects erupt in a cacophony of song and dance. Sparrows on your lawn it certainly isn’t!

It’s rare to see many land-based mammals during the day as we fish in or next to the river, but it makes for a pleasant surprise to see a herd of wild pigs crossing the river, or a Jaguar coming down to drink. A strong lantern at night can show the eyes of many animals, like snakes hanging from trees, rodents, birds and cats.

Most mammals here are nocturnal but sometimes you will be lucky and see Agoutis, Capybaras and other large fruit and nut-foraging rodents during the day. Giant River Otters are frequent in the Amazon and they bark and growl at you as you invade their territory. It’s their fishing grounds, so what are you doing there?

Tapirs are large land mammals that have a wonderful symbiotic relationship with a small bird of prey. A Tapir will call out with a whistle and the bird replies with a screech similar to its friend. The bird flies down to the Tapir and removed the ticks and fleas from its skin, thereby satisfying each other.

There are two species of freshwater dolphins that inhabit the rivers of the Amazon, the Tucuxi or grey Dolphin and its cousin, the Boto or Pink Dolphin. Tucuxi are like smaller versions of flipper, while the much larger Boto can vary from a light grey to a bright pink, sunburnt-looking, peach colour.

Both species hunt fish in packs. Many an angler has returned a fish to the water, only to have it instantly grabbed by a Dolphin. There is a legend that the Pink Dolphin would morph into a beautiful young man and seduce the young girls in the villages. Many still believe this to this day and forgive their daughters for getting pregnant at such a young age!

Another giant mammal of the Amazon waterworld is the Freshwater Manatee or Peixe Boi (Fish Cow). It has been hunted to near extinction and only with Governmental protection is this beautiful animal making a comeback. It is extremely shy and is rarely seen by humans.

One of the most dangerous of all Amazonian fish is the Stingray, of which there are a few species. Stingrays have one or more stinging spines on top of their tails. This defence mechanism can easily puncture a predator or someone wading. The barbs are covered by a thin sheath of venomous mucous skin which comes into contact with cut tissue when the victim has been stabbed. This normally occurs in the foot, ankle or leg. The ‘sting’ is incredibly painful and grown men have been known to cry and howl for two days.

It is easily infected if not treated immediately. The cure is to immerse the wound in hot water to break down the toxins. Apparently human urine also helps but perhaps we should not suggest that to our clients! Anglers are always advised to shuffle their feet while wading to avoid any contact with Stingrays.