Other animals

Terrestrial Mammals
The commonest mammals in the Amazon forest are sloths. Two species occur in the region and both are gentle herbivores. Both are found in flooded forest and are well adapted to water. They are sometimes observed swimming across lakes.

There are many species of monkey in Amazonia. The species most adapted to the floodplain habitat is the white ucaquari (locally called the English monkey because of its red face and extremely long and thick penis which, allegedly, gives it the characteristics of a typical Englishman). The top predator of the forest, which is often observed close to water, is the jaguar. Jaguars like to feed on caiman. There are many other mammals present including tapir, porcupines, armadillos, peccaries, wild dogs and agoutis.

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Coatimundi photographed at the camp where they were scavenging for food.
Coatimundi photographed at the camp where they were scavenging for food.

Three-toed sloth mother with baby photographed in inundation forest
Three-toed sloth mother with baby photographed in inundation forest

Ucaquari male showing the characteristic red face of the species. The photograph was taken within the Mamiraua reserve near Tefe, which is the only area occupied by the species in the world
Ucaquari male showing the characteristic red face of the species. The photograph was taken within the Mamiraua reserve near Tefe, which is the only area occupied by the species in the world