The Amazon rainforest is home to more animals than the humid tropics of any other continent. But don't expect to actually see so many large animals in the Amazon. Most species are relatively small, but many of them are quite colorful. Particularly among the birds, one can find numerous brightly colored species, like the noisy Macaws, the Cock of the Rock, trogons, Quetzals and numerous hummingbirds. But other animal groups also have very colorful species, particularly the insects, amphibians and snakes.
Supposedly half of the species on earth are found in the rainforests of the Amazon and the Andes, apparently, Ecuador is home to the largest density of species in its jungle. This is because on the very equator the weather conditions are the most stable with humid conditions occurring throughout the year, while prolonged droughts are absent. Dry seasons are quite deadly to species that depend on the permanently moist conditions of the tropical rainforest.
Yasun National Park and Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve are the two main Amazon parks of Ecuador, each covering more that 500,000 ha of virgin forest. Yasuni is the larger one and is most likely somewhat richer in species. 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 narrow rivers and creeks. The importance of this is as follows. When walking through the rainforest, the contrast between the sky and the leaves make the latter look almost black and it is very difficult to distinguish wildlife.
Monkeys (10 species in Cuyabeno) and birds (approaching 600 recorded species) and many other animals, spend most of their lives in the tree crowns. High up there (25 - 35 m), they are very difficult to distinguish. From the water, however, many trees along the rivers tend to be lower and many branches hang much lower than in the forest away from the water. The light can fall from the opening in the sky onto the branches and leaves rather than through them as is the case in the closed forest. Therefore the animals much more visible from the water. Such conditions only prevail in the lake areas of the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve and nowhere else in the Andes countries. 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 additional biodiversity.
Moreover, many aquatic birds and mammals would not occur as much in terrestrial protected areas. Cuyabeno Wildlife reserve is known for its cayman, huge anacondas, both species of Amazon dolphins, capibaras, manatees, Giant Otters, among other things. And then of course there are a great number of water birds, as well as famous fish species, like piranhas, huge catfish, electric eels and countless little colorful tropical fishes.
The beautiful lakes and slow-flowing connecting waters, the outstanding conditions to see wildlife, the great accessibility, and the affordable prices all contribute to the fact that many consider Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve the greatest national park of the Amazon region. Ecuador is the best country to go, both for researchers and tourists who like to study or simply get to know the Amazon.
Supposedly half of the species on earth are found in the rainforests of the Amazon and the Andes, apparently, Ecuador is home to the largest density of species in its jungle. This is because on the very equator the weather conditions are the most stable with humid conditions occurring throughout the year, while prolonged droughts are absent. Dry seasons are quite deadly to species that depend on the permanently moist conditions of the tropical rainforest.
Yasun National Park and Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve are the two main Amazon parks of Ecuador, each covering more that 500,000 ha of virgin forest. Yasuni is the larger one and is most likely somewhat richer in species. 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 narrow rivers and creeks. The importance of this is as follows. When walking through the rainforest, the contrast between the sky and the leaves make the latter look almost black and it is very difficult to distinguish wildlife.
Monkeys (10 species in Cuyabeno) and birds (approaching 600 recorded species) and many other animals, spend most of their lives in the tree crowns. High up there (25 - 35 m), they are very difficult to distinguish. From the water, however, many trees along the rivers tend to be lower and many branches hang much lower than in the forest away from the water. The light can fall from the opening in the sky onto the branches and leaves rather than through them as is the case in the closed forest. Therefore the animals much more visible from the water. Such conditions only prevail in the lake areas of the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve and nowhere else in the Andes countries. 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 additional biodiversity.
Moreover, many aquatic birds and mammals would not occur as much in terrestrial protected areas. Cuyabeno Wildlife reserve is known for its cayman, huge anacondas, both species of Amazon dolphins, capibaras, manatees, Giant Otters, among other things. And then of course there are a great number of water birds, as well as famous fish species, like piranhas, huge catfish, electric eels and countless little colorful tropical fishes.
The beautiful lakes and slow-flowing connecting waters, the outstanding conditions to see wildlife, the great accessibility, and the affordable prices all contribute to the fact that many consider Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve the greatest national park of the Amazon region. Ecuador is the best country to go, both for researchers and tourists who like to study or simply get to know the Amazon.
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