The jungle is home to more species than any other ecosystem. But don't expect many large animals. Most animals are rather small, but many of them are quite colorful. In particular among the birds, one can find numerous brightly colored species, like the noisy Macaws, the Cock of the Rock, Trogons, Quetzals and many hummingbirds. But other animal groups also have very colorful species, Particularly the insects, amphibians and snakes.
Supposedly half of the species on the planet are found in the Amazon Rainforest and the Andes mountain chain. Apparently, Ecuador is home to the largest density of species in its jungle. This is because on the very equator the weather is the most stable with rain drenched conditions occurring all year long, while prolonged droughts are absent. Dry spells are quite deadly to species that depend on the permanently rainy conditions of the tropical jungle.
Yasuni National Park and Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve are the two main Amazon parks of Ecuador, each covering more than 5000 sq km of virgin forest. Yasuni is the larger one and is most likely somewhat richer species diversity. However, Cuyabeno is much better for observing wildlife. This is cause by the following conditions: Cuyabeno has a network of lakes that are connected by natural canals. The importance of this is as follows. When walking through the rainforest, the contrast between the sky and the make the latter look almost black and it is very difficult to distinguish animals.
Most of the Amazon animals, like monkeys (10 species in Cuyabeno) and birds (approaching 600 recorded species), move about along the tree crowns, and it is extremely difficult to actually see wildlife from the ground. When one is on the water, however, the trees along the creeks are a bit lower and the branches hang all the way to the ground. As a result, the light falls onto the branches and leaves rather than through them and the animals along the river are much more visible while the daylight can penetrate from the opening in the canopy and fall onto the perching birds and mammals. This situation only occurs in Cuyabeno the Cuyabeno National Park and nowhere else in the Andes countries with Amazon rainforest. Closeness to the Andes foothills gives an additional benefit as they are also still home to quite a few Andes species, thus giving them additional variety of species.
Water birds and mammals are, 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.
For its extraordinary lakes and slow-flowing small rivers and its related bird and mammal visibility, Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve is considered the best Amazon park in the world. So for researchers and people who like to explore the jungle, Ecuador is the country to go.
Supposedly half of the species on the planet are found in the Amazon Rainforest and the Andes mountain chain. Apparently, Ecuador is home to the largest density of species in its jungle. This is because on the very equator the weather is the most stable with rain drenched conditions occurring all year long, while prolonged droughts are absent. Dry spells are quite deadly to species that depend on the permanently rainy conditions of the tropical jungle.
Yasuni National Park and Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve are the two main Amazon parks of Ecuador, each covering more than 5000 sq km of virgin forest. Yasuni is the larger one and is most likely somewhat richer species diversity. However, Cuyabeno is much better for observing wildlife. This is cause by the following conditions: Cuyabeno has a network of lakes that are connected by natural canals. The importance of this is as follows. When walking through the rainforest, the contrast between the sky and the make the latter look almost black and it is very difficult to distinguish animals.
Most of the Amazon animals, like monkeys (10 species in Cuyabeno) and birds (approaching 600 recorded species), move about along the tree crowns, and it is extremely difficult to actually see wildlife from the ground. When one is on the water, however, the trees along the creeks are a bit lower and the branches hang all the way to the ground. As a result, the light falls onto the branches and leaves rather than through them and the animals along the river are much more visible while the daylight can penetrate from the opening in the canopy and fall onto the perching birds and mammals. This situation only occurs in Cuyabeno the Cuyabeno National Park and nowhere else in the Andes countries with Amazon rainforest. Closeness to the Andes foothills gives an additional benefit as they are also still home to quite a few Andes species, thus giving them additional variety of species.
Water birds and mammals are, 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.
For its extraordinary lakes and slow-flowing small rivers and its related bird and mammal visibility, Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve is considered the best Amazon park in the world. So for researchers and people who like to explore the jungle, Ecuador is the country to go.
About the Author:
Wesley Vanderhill is a tropical conservationist who have been helping to protect fauna through great ecotours and building Amazon lodges as well as other great programs to enjoy nature.
