NAME: Scarlet Macaw
CLASS: Birds
HABITAT: Tropical rainforests.
They prefer higher elevations and riparian (riverine) forests.
DESCRIPTION: These affectionate, loving birds are easily recognizable. The Scarlet Macaw is known for its large size (approximately 35 inches), magnificent long tail and bright-red, blue and yellow body feathers; an array of colors unmatched in almost any other bird. Scarlet Macaws flock together in pairs, forming very strong bonds with their mates. Once they build a nest, they stay close to home, rarely travel, and feed during sunrise flights through the forest.
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NAME: Leaf-Cutter Ant
CLASS: Insects
HABITAT: Tropical rainforests
from the tops of trees to the forest floor. DESCRIPTION: Leaf cutter colonies typically number two million worker ants and have one queen whose main purpose is to lay eggs. In a one square yard area of typical forest, 800 individuals from 12 different species of ants can be found. Groups of these ants are often seen at night dismantling area vegetation leaf by leaf.
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NAME: Spider Monkey
CLASS: Mammals
HABITAT: They are found in both lowland and mountainous rain forests.
DESCRIPTION: Ranges in length from 15 to 25 inches, with long limbs and a muscular tail of 20 to 36 inches. The genus is second only to gibbons in being the most agile in trees, using their long tails as a fifth limb. Their coarse and stringy hair ranges in color from yellowish-gray to dark brown to black, with golden yellow sides and a whitish or yellowish underside. There are white markings on the face; the hands and feet are dark brown. They feed primarily in the early morning. Spider monkeys form troops of from 2 to 30 that tend to frequently break up and rejoin, sometimes with other troops. top of page

NAME: Caiman
CLASS: Reptiles
HABITAT: Wetlands, rivers and lakes.
Often associated with floating mats of vegetation.
DESCRIPTION: Similar in general design to Caiman crocodilus, reaching lengths of 2.5 to 3 m. Like the common caiman, its scales have well-developed osteoderms. The less ossified flanks are used in the skin trade. The common name 'Piranha caiman' comes from its visible display of teeth, an unusual characteristic whereby certain large teeth in the lower jaw may protrude through the top surface of the upper jaw. Crocodilians can exhibit a variety of social signals, with interactions displayed within and between different sexes and age classes.
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NAME: Toucan
CLASS: Birds
HABITAT:Throughout the tropical Americas
generally live in pairs or small flocks. DESCRIPTION: Toucans are identified by their large and colorful, but lightweight beaks, measuring in some of the larger species more than half the length of the body. The body is short and thick and ranges from 18 to 63 cm (7 to 25 in.). Males and females are alike in color. The plumage in the genus containing the largest toucans is generally black, with touches of white, yellow, and scarlet. They feed chiefly on fruit (not froot loops), and can manipulate small berries at the tip of the bill with great dexterity. They also eat small birds and lizards.
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NAME: Tarantula
CLASS: Arachnids
HABITAT: Tropical forests
from the canopy to the forest floor. DESCRIPTION: Also known as bird eating spiders, this group of large hairy spiders hunt for small birds, insects, other invertebrates, lizards, and small rodents at all levels of the forest. They do not have teeth for chewing or tearing their food, but they have a pair of long shiny fangs which they use to hold their prey and inject digestive fluids.They can then slurp up the digested tissues leaving behind the feathers, fur, or skin of their victims.
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NAME: Wooly Monkey
CLASS: Mammals
HABITAT: They are found in both lowland and mountainous rain forests.
DESCRIPTION: Woollies are the largest monkey in the Amazon, weighing 7-10 kg. They have short thick furcoat which can vary in color from gray to brownish-red, and a long prehensile tail. They are a threatened species in many areas of Amazonia due to habitat destruction, hunting, and capture for the pet trade.
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NAME: Amazon River Turtle
CLASS: Reptiles
HABITAT: Tropical wetlands, rivers and lakes. DESCRIPTION: The adult Yellow-Spotted Amazon River Turtle averages 17 inches in length. It can be identified by its pale olive or gray shell and yellow spots on its head. Unlike most turtles, P. unifilis draws its head into its shell sideways rather than straight back. The Amazon River Turtle can often be seen basking in the sun. While sun- bathing, it will defend its position by biting would-be usurpers of its spot in the sun. Similarly, the species will gain access to rocks or other sunning places by harmlessly nipping at other basking turtles.
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