Flora and Fauna of Amazônia

The flora and fauna of Amazônia are not all known to science, since so much is hidden in the least explored parts of the rain forest. Among the regions species are felines, rodents, birds, tortoises and primates, to name a few. Some species are in danger of extinction and increasing attempts are made by government agencies to protect them and guarantee their survival.

No one knows exactly how many species of fish there are in the rivers of Amazônia, but the estimate is more than 2,000. Among these are some of the biggest fish outside the ocean. (The arapaima reaches l5 feet in length and can weigh as much as 400 pounds). Here, too, are the electric eel, the notorious piranha, and stingrays as well as other aquatic species such as fresh water dolphins, manatees, caimans, and the infamous anaconda.

Only a tiny percentage of Amazonia's millions of plant species are known to science, but those few that have been studied have already yielded valuable foods, medicines, and commercial products. The Amazonian Forest has a huge variety of medicinal, edible, oil producing, and dye producing plants.

The forest on the plateau, of firm land, produces the great trees of Amazônia. In some areas the crowns of the trees are so huge that they prevent up to 95% of natural light from reaching the forest floor, making the interior of the forest very dark, with little ventilation and very high humidity. Among the most important species are the Brazil nut tree, the rubber tree and the guaraná tree, a fruit which is used as a stimulant and is the basis of a soft drink consumed throughout Brazil, and now used in many "energy drinks" in the U.S.