One of the species that most often frequent these jungles are the giant ants that are called conga and according to the locals and experts in the field, this ant can measure up to 3 centimeters long, but its acronym is due to its strong and painful sting, as those who have experienced it dance to the style of the music, the conga.
The jungle of Ecuador is undoubtedly a place of explosion of biodiversity unique in the world, a jungle full of very stealthy killers, the most feared on the planet who are the kings of the food chain, such as tigers, orangutans, piranhas, jaguars, alligators even the friendliest and rarest species such as pink dolphins, among many more.
Let's talk about each one of them, for example otters are often seen with their young in wetlands and rivers. On the other hand, insects make up 90% of the fauna that live in the Amazon.
The Ecuadorian jungle is part of the vast Amazon region that is home to incredible biodiversity. Here is a list of some of the most important species that make up the wildlife in the Ecuadorian jungle:
These monkeys are medium to large in size and usually feed on seeds and fruits. Their diet goes further, since they also feed on insects, tree bark, mushrooms and fruits. The most curious thing about these animals is that they communicate through facial expressions and body language, in addition to their verbal sounds, many group together in between 6 to 50 monkeys.
In addition to this type of monkeys lie capuchin monkeys that usually survive by eating palm nuts, ripe fruits and insects, as well as bird eggs, among other foods that place them among the Ecuadorian fauna.
One of the many primate species in the Ecuadorian jungle, this monkey is known for its long arms and prehensile tail. They are mainly frugivorous, which means that they eat mostly fruit, although they also consume leaves, flowers, and some insects.
There are several species of these striking and colorful frogs in the Ecuadorian jungle and their poison is used by the indigenous people to hunt. In general, these frogs are carnivorous and feed on small insects, such as ants and termites. Frogs' venom comes from their diet as the toxic compounds are produced by their prey and then accumulate in the frogs' skin glands.
Did you know that the jaguar is the largest cat in the Americas and is a key predator in the Amazon jungle. Well, it is a predator, and its diet is wide including animals such as capybaras, peccaries, turtles, alligators and some fish. A fact about this feline is that it generally hunts alone and relies on its camouflage and stealth to ambush its prey.
Another important cat in the region known for its ability to adapt to different environments. For its part, this predator varies its diet depending on the habitat in the Ecuadorian jungle, which is why it consumes medium and small mammals such as deer, rodents, monkeys, and different species of birds.
We continue with Ecuadorian wildlife talking about the spectacled bear, also known as the Andean bear, and it should be noted that this type of bear is the only bear native to South America and lives in the Andean region and the Ecuadorian jungle. This species is omnivorous and feeds mainly on fruits, bromeliads, leaves, insects, and occasionally rodents and birds.
Macaws or macaws are iconic birds known for their vivid colors and their ability to mimic human speech. Their diet is mainly based on fruits, seeds, nuts and sometimes flowers and buds. They also feed on minerals in "clay fangs" or "saladeros", which help them detoxify certain chemical compounds present in their food.
Otters usually have more presence in the rainy season and feed around 10% of their body weight and this on a daily basis. On the other hand, cold-blooded animals like the alligator make this abundant water good for hunting. Well, their body heat is adapted to be governed by the waters of the Amazon, but this is not the case for warm-blooded species.
It is worth mentioning that the alligator can reach 6 meters in length and is considered the longest predator compared to other species. As for amphibian species, they also usually come out of the water to the surface when required. This can be harmful, since reptiles such as snakes lie waiting for these amphibians to be able to turn them into their food.
Many of these snakes are poisonous and have a range of species that they can devour in their path, including birds. In fact, many of these snakes lie motionless for weeks, waiting for their food to reach them.
As is his characteristic, just by feeling vibrations he is already alerted to attack his next victim. One of the largest snakes that exist are the impressive anacondas, many of them usually reach up to 7 meters.
Backpacker friends and tourists, maybe you didn't know but there are two species of freshwater dolphins in the Amazon, the pink Amazon dolphin (Boto) and the tucuxi river dolphin. These animals feed mainly on fish and occasionally on crustaceans and other invertebrates
. One of their advantages is that they use echolocation to find their prey in the murky waters of the jungle, which is impressive.
The Ecuadorian Amazon jungle is home to an astonishing diversity of flora and fauna that we cannot find anywhere else with over 300 species of mammals and around 800 species of birds, this unique and majestic ecosystem offers much to explore and discover.
As well as 400 species of amphibians and reptiles, they lie throughout the width and length of the Ecuadorian Amazon. Many species can be found in different national parks that are references and protected in Ecuador.
Like the Biosphere Reserve and the Yasunì National Park, they are two of the other reference treasures of nature and wildlife. In these parks it is possible to do ecotourism, many tourists usually visit these parks to learn about the majestic Ecuadorian wildlife and fauna.
It is known scientifically that the Amazon has at least 5% of plants that lie on the entire planet earth. Ecuador alone provides 11 national parks in addition to reserves in regard to the entire Amazon basin, for example, the Cuyabeno Fauna Reserve is one of the largest that exists in Ecuador.
The Ecuadorian jungle is part of the Amazon that encompasses eight rapidly developing countries: Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, and Suriname. The importance of preserving and protecting these unique ecosystems cannot be underestimated as they play a crucial role in the global and local health of the environment.
We hope this virtual tour of the amazing wildlife of the Ecuadorian jungle has captured your imagination and fueled your adventurous spirit. Hopefully, this has given them an idea of the natural wonders that can be found here, as well as the need to protect these valuable ecosystems and their rich biodiversity.
What are the threats facing the wildlife of the Ecuadorian jungle?
Ecuadorian rainforest wildlife faces a number of threats, including:
Deforestation: The Ecuadorian jungle is being deforested at an alarming rate, which is destroying the habitat of many animals.
Climate change: Climate change is causing the Amazon rainforest to dry out, making it difficult for animals to find food and water.
Pollution: Pollution from agricultural streams and industrial activities is damaging water quality in the Amazon rainforest, which is affecting the health of animals.
Hunting: Hunting for bushmeat is a major threat to many animals in the Amazon rainforest. Poaching: Poaching of animals such as jaguars and macaws is also a major threat
What is one of the most common species found in the Ecuadorian jungle?
Giant ants called congas.
What is the reason why conga ants get their name?
Its name is due to its strong and painful sting, which makes those who have experienced it dance in the style of conga music.
What are some of the most feared and well-known animals found in the Ecuadorian jungle?
Tigers, orangutans, piranhas, jaguars, alligators and even friendly and rare species like pink dolphins.
What percentage of the fauna in the Amazon is made up of insects?
90% of the fauna that lives in the Amazon is made up of insects.
What communication do woolly monkeys use to communicate?
Woolly monkeys communicate through facial expressions, body language, and verbal sounds.
What type of diet do capuchin monkeys have?
Capuchin monkeys usually survive by eating palm nuts, ripe fruits, insects, and bird eggs, among other foods.
What is the main characteristic of black spider monkeys?
Black spider monkeys are characterized by their long arms and prehensile tail. They are mainly frugivorous, but also consume leaves, flowers and insects.
What type of diet do poison frogs have?
Poison dart frogs are carnivorous and feed mainly on small insects such as ants and termites.
What are some of the animals that are part of the jaguar's diet?
The jaguar feeds on animals such as capybaras, peccaries, turtles, alligators and some fish.
What are some of the foods that spectacled bears eat?
Spectacled bears feed primarily on fruits, bromeliads, leaves, insects, and occasionally rodents and birds.
What is the main diet of macaws?
Macaws feed mainly on fruits, seeds and nuts, and sometimes flowers and buds.
How do river dolphins use echolocation in the Ecuadorian jungle?
River dolphins use echolocation to find their prey in the murky waters of the jungle.
How many species of mammals and birds are found in the Ecuadorian jungle?
There are around 300 species of mammals and 800 species of birds in the Ecuadorian jungle.
How many species of plants are found in the Amazon?
It is estimated that the Amazon is home to at least 5% of the plant species on the entire planet Earth.
What are some of the countries that are part of the Amazon?
Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana and Suriname are some of the countries that are part of the Amazon.
