7 extraordinary animals in Latin America
Latin America is teeming with wildlife. With regions such as the Amazon, the Pantanal, the Andes and the Esteros del Iberá, there are plenty of opportunities to discover unfamiliar animal species. We have compiled a list of seven remarkable animals found in Latin America for you.
1. The quetzal
The quetzal is found only in Central America and, with its red, blue and green plumage and impressively long tail, is much loved by birdwatchers. The quetzal was already revered in the times of the Aztecs and the Maya. These communities regarded the bird as sacred, and its feathers symbolised wealth. To this day, the bird remains both the national symbol and the currency of Guatemala. One place where you might spot a quetzal is on the Quetzales Trail in Panama. Here you’ll find a diverse range of flora and fauna and, as the name suggests, with a bit of luck, you might also spot a quetzal.
2. Jaguar
The jaguar can be found in many rainforests across Latin America, particularly in the Pantanal and the Amazon. Countries where you can go in search of the continent’s largest feline include Brazil, Peru and Suriname. One example in Brazil is the Caiman Lodge in the Pantanal. This lodge works in partnership with the Onçafari project, which aims to protect the jaguar. As a guest, you’ll have the opportunity to spend a day with the Jaguar Habituation team and take part in their daily activities. In many South American cultures, the jaguar was regarded as a kind of god, which is why the animal features prominently in pre-Columbian architecture. For instance, the Maya believed that the spirits of jaguars fought against negative forces from ‘the underworld’ at night. In this way, the animals ensured that the sun rose again and life could continue. What sets the jaguar apart from other felines is that it is not afraid of water. There are even known cases of jaguars hunting caimans and crocodiles.
3. Armadillo
Of all 20 species of armadillos found worldwide, only one does not live in Latin America. Armadillos are closely related to sloths and anteaters. There are various species of armadillo, and they can vary enormously in size: some weigh just 85 grams and are 12 centimetres long, whilst the largest species can weigh up to 55 kilos and grow to 1.5 metres in length. They are also the only mammals to have armour. The animal’s name derives from the Spanish ‘armadillo’, which means ‘little armoured one’.
4. Whale shark
The whale shark is the largest fish in the world. Although it can look very intimidating, this fish is actually a big, friendly giant. It can grow as long as a bus and weigh around 22,500 kilos. The whale shark feeds mainly on plankton and small fish. The best places to spot these giants are Mexico, Belize and the Galápagos Islands. At some of these destinations, you can also go snorkelling or diving to see the whale shark up close.
5. Sloth
The sloth is known as the world’s slowest mammal. Depending on the species (two- or three-toed), they can grow to between 58 and 68 centimetres in length and weigh up to 8 kilos. The animals are so extremely slow that algae even grow on their fur. Despite being so slow on land, sloths are surprisingly good swimmers. On land, they move a maximum of 38 metres in a day and sleep for between 15 and 20 hours. What makes the sloth even more unique is that they can turn their heads 270 degrees! Sloths are found in Peru, Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Suriname.
6. Puma
The puma is a rare predator that can be found in Patagonia. The animal feels completely at home in ‘the land of giants’, as Patagonia is sometimes called. This is due to the many guanacos that roam freely here in the wild: the pumas mainly hunt them at sunrise and sunset. It is not easy to spot a puma. In Torres del Paine, you can take part in a special programme organised by Ecocamp. Together with Diego Araya, one of Chile’s best-known nature photographers and an authority on the puma, you can spot these remarkable animals. This programme organised by Ecocamp and Diego Araya is widely recognised as the best opportunity to spot pumas.
7. Orca
The orca is also known in English as the ‘killer whale’. Don’t let this name fool you, though: the orca is actually a species of dolphin rather than a whale. They are found from Antarctica right down to the equator. On the Valdés Peninsula in Argentina, something very rare occurs. Orcas launch themselves onto the beach to catch their prey, which is often young sea lions. They hunt in large groups that can consist of between 2 and 90 orcas. The best time to spot orcas at Peninsula Valdés is from February to April.
Fancy some wildlife spotting in Latin America?
Would you like to find out more about wildlife and nature in Latin America? Then do take a look at our page on nature. Do you have any questions? Please feel free to contact us. Call +31 73 610 62 04 or send an email to info@sapapanatravel.nl.
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